The dry drizzle

 

A grey stratus cloud churned with silver

Overhangs a breezy evening market lane

With interpersed puddles in the bustle 

That are barely visible in the veiled moonlight 

And a splash to erupt from anywhere 

The usual caution is strangely missing tonight

As we stand huddled to get drenched

Drowsy after a late evening mild drink

We rush slowly to the parked car 

It is lost in the crowded place

Scampering amidst frenzy of night

We finally return from a fews hours

That are dripping in a dry drizzle.

Noida

00.30 hrs

2341

19.3.26

The intent and destiny

 

After the spell of a dull chrysalis 

Hatches out the vibrance on life

Her myriad hues weave a mystery

For the nascent petals remain confined

To the inner soul of her folded wings

The intent to evolve forever yields

A destiny of replenished spectrum in sky

For every little shade that is on  display 

When she flaps while concocting nectar

With her sweet breath and starlit dreams

Brushes a rainbow in the paradise.

Rishikesh 

2340

20.30 hrs

15.3.26

The glitter on reflection

The resplendence of a golden reflection

On silvery waters of a full moon night

A halo sparkles from behind the pious dome

Ignites incandesce among interpersed clouds

And casts her bresth amidst gentle waters

That encircle the core of divine dazzle

The blowing breeze brushes past the eager ear

It sows the chants that emanate from essence

Like nectar from the floral benevolence

Wrapped in such a moment of nascent sanctity

The glitter of reflection manifests forever.

Rishikesh

2339

11.38 hrs

15.3.26

 ख़्वाईश मुकम्मल हुई खामोश नियत ए खुलूस के साथ 

जनाज़ा निकला कुछ ख्वाबों का तो बेगैरत जुलूस के साथ

 तेरी ख़ामोशी में अलफ़ाज़ क्या पिरोये 

शायरी के बहाने इज़हार ए इश्क़ कर गए 

हमारे जानाज़े पर तुमने सुभानअल्लाह क्या कहा 

हम ज़िंदा थे और कफ़न ओढ़कर मर गए

A sprout at threshold

The chirp from cosy nest,

Where a flight to skies

Is a nonchalant routine,

Stretches to a larder in vicinity 

To caress the dormant grains 

Those lost in a conscious slumber

Confined to transparent liberty

Restricted to a delicious platter

Only once a seed crosses threshold 

Toils in the grimy core of furrows

Slithers in the fertile loam of time

Basks in open sun and free air

Then a sprout trumpets her victory 

Nascent and tender but sure of life

A deft prop here and little stake there

She sure blooms to a floral grandeur

Carries a tale of skies amidst her chirp

While twining her nest intact 

The lady of the house, bow to you!

Rishikesh 

2338

12.05 hrs

8.3.26

The flame

 

The flapping flame is barely visible

Upon alighting on twigs of a bright hour

There it dangles for long enough till twilight

And smoulders to slumber in the dark nest 

Then the dwindling gait on a staggering path

Seeks succour of silvery drops that echo twinkle

The blindfolded mind looks for a step to tread upon

Even as the waves stretch with their flickering tears

The sky somewhere has slipped into ocean 

While I gaze at this deep and blurred unison

The vessel at horizon has soared within the cloud

While the stars have poured into the agitated waters

Groping on the dried sands afar from shore

I return to find my foot marks disolved by dawn.

 Rishikesh

2337

14.2.26

12.25 hrs