Kubku Phela Gayi Baat Shanasai Ki
Usne Khushbu Ki Trah Meri Pazirai Ki

Kaise Keh Dun Ki Mujhe Chhod Diya Usne
Baat To Sach Hai Magar Baat Hai Ruswai Ki

Vo Kahi Bhi Gaya, Lauta Mere Paas Aaya
Bas Yahi Baat Hai Acchi Mere Harjai Ki

Tera Pehlu Tere Dil Ki Trah Aabaad Rahe
Tujh Pe Guzre Na Kyamat Shabbe Tanhai Ki

Usne Jalti Hui Peshani Pe Jab Hath Rakha
Rooh Tak Aa Gyi Taaseer Masihai Ki

Ab Bhi Barsaat Ki Raaton Mein Badan Toot-Ta Hai
Jaag Uth-Ti Hain Ajab Khwahishein Angdaai Ki

– Parveen Shakir

There were only two kingdoms:
One disowned both him and me
And the other we ourselves abandoned.

Under the naked sky –
I was drenched by my body’s shower
Which continued a long age
Rotted in the continuing downpour.

Then he took the goblet brimming with the love of years
And quaffed it like cup full of poison
His quaking hand sought mine:
“Come! let us take a moment’s shelter under some roof
Look! there – before you, a little way off
There is an empty space…
Between truth and falsehood.”

– Amrita Pritam

With you no complaint I can make
No reward I am destined to take

A person we have not yet met
If separated, will cause what heartache

We were hardly wishful to keep living
Though dying we dare not under-take

Something to make our life worth while
No prospect of any chance at stake

Flower’s scent has been accounted for
Its own time, though, bud will take

Heart is taken aback by a single hurt
It is no blister that a prick it cannot take…

– Parveen Shakir

As if the counselor for cure is defeated
As if in death, malady has been treated

As if this time heart is hurt anew
Though beloved had oft before retreated

Your loving palm caressing my forehead
Is balm for my soul highly feted

There was this lack of warmth within
Though with an open smile beloved had greeted

The poor live from hand to mouth
The story of poverty is ever repeated

– Parveen Shakir

Distant dream has become the festive season
Like our beloved, has departed the spring season

Since many seasons, in my home and heart
Time has stood still in the waiting season

Let beloved whisper in my ear to hear
Ever so gently may return the high season

Not with standing new tentalising professions of love
Not possible to withstand loss of your trusting season

Fragrance may diffuse or may refuse and return
Let someone so inform beloved’s welcome season

For your style of love we had often pondered
To pander to your overtures, or to reason out of season.

– Parveen Shakir

How to plan great escape, every one’s feet are tied
How in this habitat under siege, fetters could be untied

I am ready for sacrifice, but let my judge adjudge
Who is indicting whom, before I am tried

Knock at the door today sounds so familiar
Who will pin the blame on me, my guilt to be classified

The martyr had climbed the scaffold long time ago
How his image is all fresh, hauntingly dignified

When truth is all smothered in the dock at bay
Who will explain niceties of law, not to remain tongue tied

Along will my detractors are my friends also free
Who will shoot the first arrow, they need to decide…

– Parveen Shakir

There was this chill in wind, you were also in mind
Heart was ecstatic, tinged with despondency of a kind

This chat half way through night, this moon full and bright
Along with the mid summer moon, your beauty was defined

Beloved was watching me, with a stealthy look
Time at last once stood still, leaving all behind

Now with a bit of hindsight, we know it wasn’t easy
When we didn’t find beloved, we were in a bit of a bind

I was in search on my beloved, though it was a vain search
My efforts not to besmirch, my longing was undefined

Evening breeze, not at ease, is inquiring beloved’s abode
O wafting wind of beloved’s mode, for goodness sake find…

– Parveen Shakir

My love had found wide publicity
Like flower scent, it had gained spontaneity

How can I say beloved has forsaken me
This true, but to say it is not propriety

Leaving me, beloved always returned to my fold
How well it speaks of beloved’s fickle quality

May you ever prosper in unison with beloved
One hell is night of loneliness with its longevity

When beloved had just caressed my burning forehead
My soul felt as cured by this touch of Jesus faculty

Even now in rainy season, body is aching
Longings are revived, wishes join priority…

– Parveen Shakir

Gine Huye Kadam Inhraaf Kya Hote
Gunaah Tarze-Nigaah Tha, Maaf Kya Hota

Jhuki Hui Meir Aakhein, Sile Huye Mere Lab
Ab Is Se Badh Kar Tera Etraaf Kya Hota

Khud Apni Vehshate-Jaan Se Wafa Na Ki Hum Ne
Zamana Aur Humare Khilaaf Kya Hota

Diye To Ab Bhi Diye Hain Vo Bazm Ho Ki Harm
Bhujhe Huye Dilon-Jaan Se Tavaaf Kya Hota

Sitara Tha Bhi To Aansu Ki Istaara Tha
Kisi Falak Ka Yahan Inkishaf Kya Hota

Vahi Gubaare-Tammana, Vahi Shamime Dua
Tu Rozo Shab Mein Mere Ikhtilaaf Kya Hota…

– Parveen Shakir

Har Raat Roohein Kaide Tan Se chhut Jaati Hain
Kehne-Karne Ki Hadon Se Toot Jati Hain

Roohein Riha Hoti Hain Is Kafas Se Har Raat
Haakim Aur Kaidi Ho Jaate Sabhi Aazad

Vo Raat Jisme Kaidi Kafas Se Bekhabar Hain
Aur Shah Jo Apni Daulat Se Bekhabar Hai

Khone-Paane Ka Koi Dar Nhi Aur Gham Nahi
Na Pyar Is Se, Us Se Kuch Bereham Nahi

Sufiyon Ka Haal Ye Hai Bin Soye Hardam
Ve So Chuke Hote Jabki Jaage Hain Dekhte Hum

So Chuke Duniya Se Aise, Din Aur Raat Mein
Dikhe Nahi Rab Ka Kalam Jaise Juske Hath Mein…

– Rumi