Zindagi Hai! Chalo

ज़िंदगी के रास्ते में सायबान नहीं मिलेंगे,
तुम बेरहम धूप में तपना सीख कर चलो;

चौराहें इतनी है कि खोना तो लाज़मी है,
अनजान तंग गलियों में से रास्ता ढूंढ कर चलो;

कंकड़ और कांटे बिछे रहेंगे तुम्हारे पथ पर,
उनके दिए ज़ख्मों पर मरहम लगा कर चलो;

कई हमसफर तुम्हे छोड़ अपनी अलग राह पकड़ेंगे,
तुम अपनी राह पे अकेले आगे बढ़ कर चलो;

दुर्घटनाएं तुम्हारे जिगर को झंझोर के रख देंगी,
तुम अपना होंसला बुलंद रख कर चलो;

भीड़ में, भगदड़ में, तुम भुला दिए जाओगे,
तुम अपने लिए थोड़ी जगह बनाते हुए चलो;

ज़िन्दगी है! ख्वाब तो टूटेंगे और महल भी बिखरेंगे,
तुम अपनी उम्मीदों को ज़िंदा रख कर चलो।

ये कविता निदा फ़ाज़ली जी की गज़ल ' सफर में धूप तो होगी चल सको तो चलो ' से प्रेरित है।

Toh India Ho Tum

Laal batti pe na rukne wali tumhaari gaadii ko, jab kali billi ke saamne rokte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Bekaar movies ko multiplex mein dekhkar 100 crore club tak pahunchaake, raaste par sabziyaan lete waqt 5 rupaye dene mein naraaz ho jaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Phone pe screenguard crack hote hi badalwaate ho, par bike bina helmet ke chalaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Saal mein do din maze se loud speaker pe desh bhakti ke gaane bajaate ho, par cinema haal mein national anthem pe khade hone se alsaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Tinder pe swipe karke apna pyaar khojtey ho, par toote Dil ka ilaaj karaane baba Bangali ke paas jaate ho, toh India ho tum

Kehte ho corruption se desh khokhala ho raha hai, par traffic havaldaar se chootne ke liye hari patti nikaalte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Swades movie dekh kar India ke liye kuch karne ka plan banaate ho, par agle din office jaake onsite opportunity ke liye manager Ko maska lagaate ho, toh India ho tum

Kehte ho ki apni beti ki kaabiliyat pe bharosa hai tumhein, par uski ki padhai se zyaada uski shaadi ke liye paise bachaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Dil se aah toh maatrabhasha mein hi nikalti, par angrezi mein bolne wale ki baat ko zyada mahatva dete ho, Toh India Ho Tum

aatanki hamle ke baad saath mein candle march pe nikalte ho, par Netao ke behkaave mein aakar gairmazhabi logon ko paraaya samajhte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Jaldi mein ho isliye duniya ko dhakka de ke aage niklte ho, par phir bhi kahin par samay par nahin pahunchte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Hindi mein gaali dene walon ko aonchi nazar se dekhte ho, par angrezi ke apshabdon ko kehna cool samajte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Anekta mein ekta ko samvaad mein chipka ke samaaveshi bante ho, par insaaniyat ke naate har insaan ki izzat karna nahin jaante ho, toh India ho tum

Paryatakon (tourists) ko shaan se apne sheher ke monuments ke baare mein bataate ho, par wahan ki deewaron par Apne pyaar ka aelaan kar jaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Desh ki har ek buraai ke liye sarkaar ko zimmedaar bataate ho, par sarkaari naukri le liye laar tapkaate ho, Toh India Ho Tum

Apni gaadi chalane ke liye chaalak dasvi paas rakhte ho, par desh chalane wala neta chauthi fail ko chunte ho, Toh India Ho Tum

bharat ke itihaas ka sirf bakhaan mat karo, bharatiya kehlane ke kaabil bano
Ignorant banke apne aap ko best mat samjho, doosron se seekh kar behtar bano
Sirf jaan gawaana hi deshbhakti nahin doston, Apne har karm se India Banaa Rahe Ho Tum
Agar excellence ke jazbe se apna hunar taraashte ho, Toh India Ko behtar Bana Rahe Ho Tum

Ityaadi

Un andheri raaton mein, tumne diya sahara tha,
aankhen band karva ke meri, mujhko sapna dikhlaya tha,
us saath ka toh main, tahe dil shukraguzaar hoon,
tumhari udaarta ka rakhnewala hamesha mein abhaar hoon.

Tum mujhe kal pehchaan bhi na paoge,
bhoolna na chaho, toh bhi bhool jaaoge,
zindagi ki kashmakash mein yun ulajh jaaoge
ke kuch yaad rehjaye, bas yeh aas liye jaaoge

Is zakhm ko bhi kisi tarah si hi lenge hum,
kisi tark aur vivek ke dhaagon se,
prem ka jo nasha sa mehsoos kiya tha humne,
us se nikal hosh mein aa hi jaayenge

Kuch yaadon mein dooba ja raha hoon,
smrition ki lehron mein beh raha hoon,
tum bhi chal chalo mere sang us haseen samay mein,
sang bitaaye un yaadgaar lamhon mein

Inspired from the song "one year, six months" by yellowcard

छुपा जाते हैं

कभी छलकती आँखों में आंसू छुपा जाते हैं
कभी धड़कते दिल में आरज़ू छुपा जाते हैं
कभी मचलते मौसम में शरारत छुपा जाते हैं
और कभी भागती ज़िन्दगी में अरमान छुपा जाते हैं

कभी उलझते रिश्तों में एहसास छुपा जाते हैं
कभी लिखी हुई बातों में अलफ़ाज़ छुपा जाते हैं
कभी कहे हुए लफ़्ज़ों में मायने छुपा जाते हैं
और कभी गुज़रती यादों में जज़्बात छुपा जाते हैं

कभी ख़ुशी की लहर में ग़म छुपा जाते हैं
कभी दुश्मनी की फ़िराक में दोस्ती छुपा जाते हैं
कभी अजनबी महफ़िल में अपनापन छुपा जाते हैं
और कभी चेहरे की ख्वाइश में पहचान छुपा जाते हैं

बस यूँ ही हम ज़िन्दगी से बेवफाई करते चले जाते हैं
वो जवाब मांगती है और हम सवाल पूछते चले जाते हैं

You Won't Understand

Often people say to me "You just won't understand."
"You're way too old," or "Way too young," or "YOU are NOT a man."
I don't know why some people feel they suffer unique pain.
As if they are the only ones who've lost or ceased to gain.
I don't know why they hide their pain and clutch it ever tighter.
It seems to me that all should know - a burden shared gets lighter.
Why some folks even design to think the pain that's in their heart,
is all their own, to keep and hoard, they set themselves apart.

They keep their eyes from meeting mine lest I should see their hurt.
And even if we stop and speak their words are often curt.
The Bible says: 'Two' can withstand what overcomes just 'one'.
And also that- a 'Cord of Three' can scarcely be undone.

Besides, I know the ways of hurt- My heart's been crushed before.
Friends have betrayed- I've lost at love, despair's knocked at my door.

And I Remember- thoughts gone wild- and crying late at night.
Not having strength to care at all- much less the strength to fight.

But, someone special came to me- and when my trials were told.
I realized that with their tears- they'd eased my heavy load.

And so, I learned- that pain- like love- is bearable if shared.
I don't know what I would have done without that friend who cared.

My trials did not vanish fast- in fact the time was long.
But sharing gave me breathing space until I could grow strong

Enough to laugh again and even start to smile-
and though it seemed it could not help- it eased my pain awhile.

So, if you think that you can't share cause I won't understand.
At least just give me half a chance to lend a helping hand.

For I know that you're hurting and I know a place to start.
Perhaps if you could realize- your pain burns in my heart.

I know I cannot make your trials and troubles go away.
But maybe I can help a bit to get you through today.

And maybe by tomorrow you wont need help anymore.
But if you should- don't be ashamed- for that's what friends are for.

And after all is said and done- the trials ceased- you're whole.
Perhaps you'll know just what to do to help another soul

Who's being crushed by hurt and pain- be it woman or a man.
And you won't have to hear them say "You just won't understand."

-- author unknown

valleys and mountains

Valleys and Mountains
By: Serena Renae

Standing on the mountain side,
Wondering whether I'll climb or fall.
Knowing down's a long hard ride,
And up's too far to crawl.

Searching for a holding place,
Somewhere to catch my breath.
Seeing not even the smallest space,
To hide from emotional death.

Valleys and Mountains lie before me,
I'm standing on shaky ground,
Valleys and Mountains lie before me,
Am I valley or mountain bound?

As I gaze up the sun shines clear,
No clouds to block my sight.
By the rays, your love shines near,
Guiding me with your light.

In you, I've found my anchor rope,
To ease through the ups and downs.
Loving you restored all hope,
Of a life on solid ground.

Valleys and mountains lie before me,
But I'm standing oh so strong,
Valleys and mountains lie before me,
But the shaky grounds now gone.

The summits now within my reach,
And soft seems the valley floor.
All crags and canyons I now breach,
Till my fear can rule no more.

Valleys and mountains we conquer together,
And my fear can rule no more....