Scribbles

Mastermind 

A mask that affirms his pretense

A mastermind, they say,

that finds its way through a blissfully oblivious crowd

handpicking few, to comply with his self righteous idiosyncrasies.

A game. Foul by its very essence

His rules, they say,

that underline his idea of misplaced fairness.

And  mute they remain, Out  of choice.

                                        

  And far away from this maddening crowd

Are a few silent prayers,

asking for a day, when it all crashes down.

And crashes down, it does.

An underestimation, that changes the entire game

    His only mistake ,they say,

   a simple misinterpretation -

     Silence synonymous to submission.

नन्हें कदम

संभालने नन्हें कदमों को

आया जब उसके रू-ब-रू

संभालने मुझे वो चली

मेरे जैसी हू-ब-हू |

माटी सने पैरों से

लपके दूर, तारों की ओर

नीलकमल सी चाँद को ढूंढे

चाँद जैसी वो चकोर |

फूलों के पंख लगाये

उड़े इन्द्रधनुष पैरों पर धरे

छूती चले ऊँचे टंगे सपने

बिना झिझिके बिना डरे|

बसंती झूले की पेंग में

आसमान पैरों तले दिखे|

कभी आकाश कभी ज़मी पर

बेफिकर सफर वो अपना लिखे|

                                                                       

                                                                      Nemesis                                     

                                                  Center of attraction, lying on that pedestal

See if you must, you think

Mesmerizing beauty, they affirm

See I must, you say.

Crystal of purity without shades of grey

Touch if you must, you think

Melts expeditiously, they confirm with a smile.

Touch I must, you say.

Your perfect reflection, which makes you wonder

Grab if you must, you think

                                                     Off limits, they declare

Grab I must ,you say.

With one swift move you sweep it off

Let Blood trickle down, if it must, you think     

                                                      Self sabotage they concur

Damn you!! Shards of ice! You say.

     कागज़ की कश्ती

ठंडी हवा मे घुली माटी की महक

लाँघकर खिड़की से चादर में समे,

गुदगुदाकर उन नन्हे पैरों को

मुस्कुराहट की वजह बने|

आलस भुलाकर छोटी,नटखट आँखे

घूरे रिमझिम बूंदों को खिड़की के परे,

मुलायम चप्पलों मे अलमस्त होकर

बारिश की ओर वो फुदकती चले |

ताकें खिड़की से टिमटिमाती आखें

डुबकियां लगाती वो बारिश की बूंदे ,

छोटी हथेलियों को बारिश मे रखकर

आँखे फिर वो अपनी मूंदे |

कागज़ की कश्ती को पानी के चह्बच्चे पर

बहाने वो निकले बरामदे पे दौड़ कर,

बहती नाव को देख फिर दौड़ लगाए

देखने उस नाँव को खिड़की से झाँक कर |

फूली साँसों से आती जब खिड़की पर

सोचती एक कविता उस कश्ती पर लिखे,

बेचैन नज़रें ढूंढे उस कश्ती को

पर डूबती वो कश्ती उसको दिखे |

न किसी ने समझाया, न किसी ने बहलाया

न आया कोई उसे मनाने ,

चुपचाप वो चली अलमारी की तरफ

कागज की एक नई कश्ती बनाने |

Lost

From kolhapuris to stilettos

 From cotton kurtis to silk gowns

From jute jholas to louis vuitton

And you tell them

 “Change is the only constant.”

From wine to weed

From perfume to smoke

From love to lust

And you tell them

“Go get a life!”

From simplicity to manipulation

From genuine concern to pure hypocrisy

                                                         From self esteem to eccentric egos

And then, you tell them

“I AM WHAT I AM!” 

Refugee crisis

Human Rights

"Of indivisibility and inalienability", I said,

while I hugged you tight

but marred bodies and battered souls, you saw

"Of universality and equal opportunities", I said,

while I offered you a meager bite,

but starving stomachs and swollen eyes, you saw

"Of humanity and greater good", I said

while I protected you with all my might

but barbarous tortures and brutal killings, you saw 

"Of being inherent and intrinsic", I said

while I promised you to fight

but fatal fatigue and endless journey, you saw

"Of human dignity and human rights", I said

While I rejoiced the foreign shore's sight,

but bared teeth and clenched fists, you saw

"Of equality & non-discrimination", I said

while I masked my growing fright,

but "ruthless terrorists! greedy opportunists!" them yelling, you saw

"Of a life waiting to be lived", I said

while I assured you of your future very bright

but a bleak ray of hope, was all that you saw,

"Dream, my son. ",  I said

while I carefully weighed my last words right..

but a price for daring to dream, you saw