Mehmaan Tha

Sard seena-e-shab mein utra sahar ka garm khanjar/
Awr phir jo har-ja aasmaan tha, so lahu-lohaan tha

Yun toh gham ke sad-hazaar walwale uthte dil mein the/
Jaan jo lab pe aayee thi, ye sabab main bezubaan tha

Aap toh khurshid, baadshah-e-falak ek harf bhi na bola/
Lab-e-naseem-o-ru-e-gul par lekin us ka bayaan tha

Jo beeti raah-e-wafa par, zaahir hai sab chehre pe/
Dekh ke naqsha apna darya mein, main bhi kuchh hairaan tha

Chand roz raha yahaan Sifar, kuchh padha, chal guzra/
Bas itna fasaana hai uska, aakhir ko mehmaan tha

Wah-Wah

Sun kar kal shab ghazal meri karte the woh "wah-wah"/
Magar aaj sar-e-raah kya mukarte the woh wah-wah

Utarti hai jaise mai chhanakti hui pyaale mein/
Is weeraan khaana-e-dil mein utarte the woh wah-wah

Kahne ko toh unhe ham mein koi dilchaspi na thi/
Lekin roz-e-mulaakaat yun sanwarte the woh wah-wah

Hamne jo junoon-e-ishq ek baar jaan di so di/
Afsos khauf-e-ruswaai mein roz marte the woh wah-wah

Guzri ho naseem-e-sahar gulistaan se jis tarha/
Yun baagh-e-khayaal se mere guzarte the woh wah-wah

Aise toh raaz-e-haq ke aashiq awr bhi the Sifar/
Magar chaihre se haqeeqat ke darte the woh wah-wah

The Past and The Future

The tired answers
To well-worn questions

Some misdirected efforts
A few forgotten equations

Those masks on faces
Those veils on intentions

And, somewhere far away
As though in another universe
The smoke that rises

From the smouldering embers
Of the corpses of uprooted dreams

Wrings drops of moisture
From these blood-shot eyes
So that people think
I am once again immersed
In the pain of the past

But, in this half-extinguished heart
A self-effacing dream still hides
The hope that she would sweep veil-less
Into this chamber of loneliness still abides
Covered by clouds, perhaps
But, in the sky a glorious moon still resides

The Heart Must Have Ached

When blew the cold wind of the evening of separation, the heart must have ached
When blossomed the morning in the chamber of loneliness, the heart must have ached

Words of falsehood sound sweet behind closed doors alone
When someone denied her love in the square, the heart must have ached

I, too was in your presence, although ever ignored
But, when that empty space let out a sigh, the heart must have ached

Come, let us meet again as if we were never intimate
Although, when memories of that closeness prevailed, the heart must have ached

Fame went, riches went – they were not your treasure
But, the day honour was sold Sifar, the heart must have ached

Had Been

A dusty wind had raged, a storm, too had been
A gaze had lifted, a death there had been

Why, walking the street, should one curse me?
Am I the only idiot that in this world has been?

And how do i tell you now, the magic of that blossoming beauty?
Enough to say that I, young just that day had been

Yesterday, in the river, I caught a glimpse of myself
As though, in that timeless flow, immersed I, too had been

My funeral procession Sifar, moved with such a jaunt
We hear the slayer herself despondent has been

Maazi-o-farda

Thake hue sawaalon
Ke uktaae hue jawaab
Kuchh bhatke hue iraade
Chand bhoole hue hisaab
Woh chaihron ke pairaahan
Woh dilon par dhake nakaab

Awr kahin door
Jaise kisi awr duniya mein
Ujde hue khwaabon
Ki sulagti laashon
Se uthta hua dhooaan

Jab in surkh aankhon se
Nami nichod jaata hai
Toh log sochte hain
Ke main phir gham-e-maazi
Mein dooba hoon

Magar is dil-e-bismil mein
Ek saihma hua sa khwaab ab bhi hai
Ye umeed ke woh aa jaaye
Is hujra-e-tanhai mein be-hijaab ab bhi hai
Abr se dhaka hi sahi
Falak mein maihtaab ab bhi hai

Dil Toh Dukha Hoga

Chali jab sard hawa-e-shab-e-hijr, dil toh dukha hoga
Maihki jab sahar hujra-e-tanhaai mein, dil toh dukha hoga

Harf-e-jhoot toh band kamron hi mein achhe lagte hain
Kiya jab kisi ne sar-e-baazaar inkaar-e-ishq, dil toh dukha hoga

Ham bhi bhi the teri bazm mein, go nazar-andaaz
Aah jab nikli us khaali jagah se, dil toh dukha hoga

Chalo, phir yun milein jaise ham kabhi aashna na the
Magar jab aayee hogi yaad us aashnaai ki, dil toh dukha hoga

Shauhrat gayi, daulat gayi, kaunsi apni sarmaaya thi?
Bika tha magar Sifar jis roz imaan, dil toh dukha hoga

Hua Tha

Aandhi si chali thi, toofaan sa hua tha
Ek nazar uthi si thi, qatl-e-jaan sa hua tha

Kyon raah chalte koi, kare apni buraayi?
Kya is duniya mein main hi, naadaan sa hua tha?

Ab kya kahein tumse, us nau-shabaab ke jalwe
Bas aise ke main us roz hi, jawaan sa hua tha

Kal darya ki maujon mein, kuchh apni si jhalak thi
Us raftaar-e-haq mein main bhi, qurbaan sa hua tha

Yun jhoom ke nikla Sifar, kuchh apna janaaza
Sunte hain ke khud qaatil bhi, pareshaan sa hua tha

Was Not

Although the merciful gaze never rested upon me
But Sifar, this threat to life it ever was not

Yes, the nation was enslaved, but there was a freedom of thought
For this heavy chain around the hearts then, there was not

Why did I lose all sense and dignity, how could I say now?
Just one arrow of her glance, and mind or heart there was not

When nothing else was, just Her breath resonated
You and I then were not; this narrowness of sky too, was not

If I were to speak Sifar, much there is that I could say
Alas, my own tale, worthy of speech was not!

Na Thi

Yun toh nazr-e-karam ham par kabhi mehrbaan na thi
Magar Sifar, aisi bhi kabhi khatra-e-jaan na thi

Go aazaad na tha desh, ek bulandi-e-khayaal thi
Dilon par jo yeh ab si zanjeer-e-giraan na thi

Khoya kyon tamkeen-o-hosh, yeh kaise kahein ab ham
Bas ik teer-e-nigaah chali, phir aql-o-jaan na thi

Kuchh awr jab na tha, bas uski saans goonjti thi
Ham awr tum tab na the, yeh tangi-e-aasmaan na thi

Kahne ko toh ham bauhat kuchh kah jaate, ae Sifar
Afsos apni daastaan kaabil-e-bayaan na thi

Sab Siyah Hai

Sab siyah hai
Andar awr har su
Phir ye rawshni kya?

Jo yak-ba-yak
Aankhon ko andhiya jaati hai

Band-o-ruki-o-sadi hui
Ruh ki bu
Naak mein dam

Magar ye door kahin
Se aati hui khushboo si kya?
Jo khule dareechon se ghus kar
Dil-o-dimaagh par chhaa jaati hai

Har usool bik chuka
Har jhoot dauhraaya ja chuka
Phir ye aaeena kya?
Jo har jhoot se pare hai

Ye sargarm daud siyahi ki taraf
Hosh-o-hawaas ghadi-bhar ke mehmaan
Phir ye bharosa kaisa?
Hamesha mein

Kuchh aisi hai ma ka aangan
Go tum bhool chuke ho
Apne ghar ko

Usney tumhein nahin chhoda
Usney tumhein nahin chhoda

Tik-tik

Dil-o-dimaagh maazi mein dooba hua
Kya kuchh ho sakta tha
Log anjaane, raahen andekhi

Awr raat yun tapakti hai
Jaise begunaahon ka lahu
Kaaleen ke chithdon par
Iqbal-e-jurm likh jaaye

Falak bhi koi jawaab nahin rakhta
Magar woh toh ek musaafir hai
Hamesha awr hamesha ke beech

Badalti hawa
Koi raasta nahin dikhaati

Thake hue khushk zard patte girte hain
Gul toh kabke gum hue
Is beraham dhaar ko qurbaan
Mawt awr zindagi ki
Awr oonch se neech ki

Pahaad chuppi liye hue hai
Josh-o-harkat uski fitrat nahin
Muntazir hai us sailaab ka
Jo usey choor kar
Phir zindagi de jaayega

Awr insaan baukhlaaya hua
Kuchh izteraab sa
Apni bekaari-o-behisi se anjaan
Raaz-e-haq ki talaash mein

Jab ke woh jaa-ba-jaa hain maujood
Khush agarche be-wajood

Kya Naam Doon Usey?

Kaainaat ke kisi siyah-tareen kone se aati hai woh
Mere andar hai, ya baahar?

Har ja dikhaaee deta hai
Awr phir bhi, kahin andar

Ek justajoo
Ek ahsaas khaalipan ka
Awr haddon se paar hone ka

Ek dua jo muntazir hai
Agar usey bas dhoond sakoon

Maine uski sada nahin suni
Woh kuchh nahin kahti
Magar ek waada hai
Har raaz kholne ka
Agar main sab kuchh nisaar kar doon

Maine usey dekha nahin
Magar uska chehra hamesha se hai

Hujra-e-zehn mein
Beshumaar dareechon
Ke peechhe kahin

Maine usey mahsoos nahin kiya
Magar uski chhooan hamesha rahi hai
Kabhi maathe par bosa ban kar
Kabhi aariz pe thappad
Phir bhi maathe par bosa

Main nahin jaanta woh kya hai
Main usey Ma ka naam deta hoon

Awr Nadi Daudti Rahi

Abr oonche shajaron ko gale lage hue
jaise koi nayee dulhan
saiyaan jiska jang ki jaanib

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Neem-siyah abr
Se siyah pahaad
Siyah pahaadon
Se siyah-tareen
Oonche shajar

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Abr ki dukthar
Barsaat ke daane
Bosa-e-lab patton ki jaanib

Ek taraf qaasid baadal

Kuchh yun hai junoon-e-ishq
Betaab-o-bewaqt

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Adh-pinhaan teen-chauthaai mahtaab
Paudi dar paudi aabla-e-pa
Chadhta hai pahaad

Fakir qaainaat ka
Jiske zaanu bol gaye hain

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Bhed awr unka maalik
Maano bin soche chadhte hain
Jaise kisi atfaal ke bhooke haath
Ma ki chhaati par

Haajit-mandi
Dushman-e-khauf hai

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Seb ki fasl qalam hui
Be-baat-o-be-wajha
Be-waqt-o-mausam
Barf ke haathon

Yehi kuchh hai raaz-e-haq
Kisi peer ki zubaani
“before and after follow each other”

Zindagi awr mawt dushman nahin
Bhai hain

Awr nadi daudti rahi

Abr ki dukhtar
Maashooka-e-mahtaab
Sar-zameen ki laadli
Waalida-e-haq

Nadi daudti rahi

Daudti rahi
Daudti rahi
Daudti rahi

Tik-tik

Dil-o-dimaagh maazi mein dooba hua
Kya kuchh ho sakta tha
Log anjaane, raahen andekhi

Awr raat yun tapakti hai
Jaise begunaahon ka lahu
Kaaleen ke chithdon par
Iqbal-e-jurm likh jaaye

Falak bhi koi jawaab nahin rakhta
Magar woh toh ek musaafir hai
Hamesha awr hamesha ke beech

Badalti hawa
Koi raasta nahin dikhaati

Thake hue khushk zard patte girte hain
Gul toh kabke gum hue
Is beraham dhaar ko qurbaan
Mawt awr zindagi ki
Awr oonch se neech ki

Pahaad chuppi liye hue hai
Josh-o-harkat uski fitrat nahin

Muntazir hai us sailaab ka
Jo usey choor kar
Phir zindagi de jaayega

Awr insaan baukhlaaya hua
Kuchh izteraab sa
Apni bekaari-o-behisi se anjaan
Raaz-e-haq ki talaash mein

Jab ke woh jaa-ba-jaa hain maujood
Khush agarche be-wajood

All Is Dark

All is dark
Inside and around:
Then what is this light
That now and then blinds?

The stench
Of closed, corrupt stagnation
Fills the nostrils:
Then what is this far-off fragrance
That rushes the windows
And grasps the senses?

Every principle sold
Each lie many times told:
Then what is this mirror
That rejects ambivalence?

Rushing headlong into oblivion
Awareness, soaked in impermanence:
Then whence this belief
In eternity?

Such is the hold of the Mother:
You might have forgotten
Where you came from
Yet, she has not
Forsaken you

She has not
Forsaken you

Tick-tock

Mind soaked with what might have been:
People unmet, places unseen

While the night drips like innocent blood
Leaving memory-stains on the worn rug

The sky too, holds no answer
But then, it is merely in transfer
Between forever and eternity:
A shifting wind points nowhere

Brittle-white with fatigue the leaves drop
Their flower-sisters have long gone:
Delicate sacrifices to the merciless flow
Of life and death and of high to low

The mountain stands silent, stoic
Frantic movement is beneath it
It waits for the unstoppable force
To atomise it back to life as dust

And yet, Man rushes about, wailing

Failing to grasp his essential irrelevance
Grasping for symbols of permanence
While they are all around him
Content in their fleeting beauty!

What Do I Call It?

It comes from the deepest dark
Is it inside me, or outside?

It seems all around
And yet, deep within

A search
A feeling of emptiness
And of limitlessness, yet

A benediction that awaits
If only I can find it!

I have not heard it
It says nothing
But, promises to reveal all
If only I surrender!

I have not seen it
But, its image has always been
In the chamber
Behind a countless million
Windows in my mind
I have not felt it

But, it has always touched me
Now kissing my forehead
Now slapping my face
(while still kissing my forehead)

I do not know what it is
I choose to name it ‘Mother’




Sifar

And The River Roars On

clouds hug the tall trees tight
as though a new bride
her beloved off to war

and the river roars on

the tall trees darker
than the dark mountains
the mountains darker
than the inky blue-gray skies

and the river roars on

raindrops kiss pining pine leaves
brushing aside messenger clouds
such is true passion:
impatient-persistent

and the river roars on

half-hidden three-quarter moon
climbs up the dark mountain
step by painful step:
the beggar, arthritic slave
of the universe!

and the river roars on

the shepherd and his sheep-babies
climb almost without noticing:
as though an infant’s hungry hands
roaming its mother’s breasts

nourishment is inoculation against fear

and the river roars on

the apple crop was murdered
with no evident rhyme or reason
by snow
out of time and season:

such is the ancient secret
as spoken by the sage
“before and after follow each other”

life and death are not opposites
but brothers

and the river roars on

daughter of the clouds
beloved of the moon
sister of the land
mother of life

the river roars on
the river roars on
the river roars on

on and on and on

Kal Phir Guzri Shab

Shabnam ke moti aankhon se ginte, kal phir guzri shab
Lekar ek ghamon ka lashkar kal phir guzri shab

Tum na aaye lekin, zaalim yaad tumhaari aayee thi
Cheer ke seena meethe khanjar se, kal phir guzri shab

Kahti tha aarzoo-e- dil ke zulfein khole tum aayee ho
Jab siyah-o-mushkbu, chaal nasheeli, kal phir guzri shab

Raah-e-wafa par chalna yaaron, jaano kuchh aasaan nahin
Karvat-karvat ki thokar kha kar, kal phir guzri shab

Kyon rote ho duniya waalon, Sifar ke chal guzarne par?
Phir wohi subha wohi shaam hui, kal phir guzri shab

The Night Once Again Passed

Eyes counting pearls of dew, the night once again passed
With an army of sorrows in tow, the night once again passed

You did not come, but your cruel memory did arrive
Rending the breast with its sweet dagger, the night once again passed

The desire of the heart proclaimed that you have come with hair undone
When black, fragrant, moving intoxicatingly, the night once again passed

Travelling the path of faith, know is not easy friends
Turning from one side to the other in my sleep, the night once again passed

Why do you weep, O people, that Sifar has passed on?
Once again the dawn and the sunset, the night once again passed

Meaningless Words, As If It Were

i crave for a glimpse of her, a drunk for a sip, as if it were
but her hair masks the face, a bodyguard as if it were

who knows but that the Saqi’s merciful gaze might turn away from us
let the wine flow tonight my friends, a tearful eye as if it were

the dawn’s breeze blows fragrant, like the beloved’s scent
the sky too, blushes pink, the rouge on her cheeks as if it were

sleepless i remained through the night of separation, covered in a sheet of despair
come morning, the garden was in tatters too, a scene of desolation as if it were

the street is a well-known one; the faces too, are familiar
then why does fear reside here, the gallows as if it were?

i would certainly have visited the temple, believe you me, Sifar
if deep joy one could obtain there, the beloved’s street as if it were

Nisaar Doon

Yun toh tujh par jaan-o-imaan, sab nisaar doon
Magar bata kab tu aayega, kab nisaar doon?

Jo ho tu ham-kadam, toh ho raah rang-o-bu se pur
Warna is daur-e-gham ko, tanha bhi guzaar doon

Mazhab ke naam toh, laashein sad-hazaar bichh chukeen
Ho gar kuchh is se aage, toh jaan main bhi waar doon

Umeed-e-wisaal-e-yaar Sifar, toh baaki rahi nahin
Ek hasrat-e-mehr-e-saqi hai, chal usey bhi maar doon

Give Up

Quite readily, for you, life and honour i would give up
But, do say when you will come, when should i all give up?

If you walk beside me, this path would fill with colour and fragrance
If not, this tour of sorrow, alone too, i could live up

In the name of faith, many thousands of corpses have been lain
If there were something beyond that, my life, too i would give up

Hope of a meeting with the beloved, Sifar, no longer remains
Yes, there is a desire for the Saqi’s mercy - that too, i should give up

Nahin Aate

Harf-e-sukhan-o-jaan-e-jaana, bulaaye se nahin aate
Kahaan aata hai sukoon dil ko, jis roz ye nahin aate

Guzaari hai umr hamne, us mast-nigaah ki galiyon mein
Saje hain daagh jo seene par, bas maange se nahin aate

Sab jaan-o-rang is maihfil ki, teri ba-daulat hai saqi
Maan yakeen tu warna, raqeeb-o-yaar ye nahin aate

Dil khol ke milta hai har se Sifar, haae naadaangi teri
Zaahir hai tujhe duniya ke, taur-tareeqe nahin aate

Do Not Come

Words of poetry and the life of my life, just by calling do not come
When is the heart ever glad, on the day that they do not come?

A lifetime have i spent under the gaze of those intoxicating eyes
These scars that adorn my breast, for the asking do not come

All the soul and colour of the party, is due to you, O Saqi
Believe me, otherwise, these friends and foes do not come

You meet all with open arms, o your silliness, Sifar!
It is clear that to you, the ways of the world do not come

Escaped

If a sigh did not emerge from the lips, a wail escaped
If the pain of love did not become a poem, life escaped

For an age, the desire for a meeting lay hidden in the breast
She came to my grave, and there it escaped

Just a moment ago had i filled it, why is my cup empty?
Who stole my wine, friends? - tell me how it escaped

I had thought the heartbeat would state my case
But, when it encountered that beauty, not a sound my heart escaped

Life is a secret deep Sifar, how can we say
Whence the breath came to this body, where it escaped?

Nikli

Labon se aah na nikli, toh fughaan nikli
Gham-e-ishq sheyr mein na nikla, toh jaan nikli

Muddaton hasrat-e-wasl thi pinhaan seene mein
Aaye woh mazaar par meri, so yahaan nikli

Abhi-abhi toh bhari thi, khaali kyon hai pyaali?
Kaun chheen gaya jam-e-mai, kaho kahaan nikli

Socha tha dhadkan-e-dil rakhegi baat hamaari
Magar dekha jo us husn ko, bezubaan nikli

Zindagi ek gaihra raaz hai Sifar, kya kahiye
Kaheen se aayi thi idhar woh, wahaan nikli

Does

Mister Sifar some strange things does
Speak to her of faithfulness, he does!

People have a passion for prayer but
Just think thoughts of you, he does

Dagger and arrow of what use to her?
Slay slowly with her eyes, she does

Whenever the talk runs to angels
Remember her beautiful face, he does

Having raced to her street, Sifar
Slow down his gait then, he does

Karte Hain

Sifarji bhi kamaal karte hain
Unse wafa ke sawaal karte hain

Logon mein namaaz ka josh hai lekin
Ham toh bas tera khayaal karte hain

Teer-o-khanjar se unko kya matlab?
Woh jo nazron se halaal karte hain

Chalti hai jab bhi baat houron ki
Yaad ham unka jamaal karte hain

Pahunch kar tezi se unki gali, Sifar
Sust phir ham apni chaal karte hain

Remains

my lines are all dust, o saqi, it is just your merciful eye that remains
your tavern is replete, but here, life very little remains

people ask of my beloved’s arrow-like glance, but what can i tell them?
sense and awareness have long been lost, just that ache in the heart remains

if roses and tulips grow upon my grave come autumn, why the surprise?
i had once run my hands through her hair, and the effect remains

i have sought for you in every direction, lord, searched each corner of the heart
now, no other option appears to me, only the street of death remains

no tongue in harmony present in the gathering, all have travelled beyond this world
for the worship of Goddess Poetry, now here only Sifar remains

Baaki Hai

Kya khaak apni laqeeren hain, bas teri nazr-e-inaayat, saqi hai
Tere maikhaane mein bauhat hai, yahaan zindagi chutki bhar baaki hai

Naawak-nigaahi-e-jaana poochchte hain, so kaise bataaein logon ko?
Hosh-o-hawaas toh kab ke gum hue, ek wohi dard-e-jigar baaki hai

Khil rahe hain khizaan mein meri qabr par laala-o-gul, toh hairaani kya?
Hue the ek baar unke gesuon se mas haath mere, awr asar baaki hai

Har ja tujhe talaasha hai khuda, har dil ke kone ko tatola hai
Ab soorat awr koi khulti nahin, bas qaza ki rahguzar baaki hai

Ham-zubaan bazm mein maujood koi nahin, kar chale sair-e-duniya sab
Haseena-e-sukhan ki ibaadat ko, ab yahaan sirf Sifar baaki hai

Not Be

Recite that poem today Sifar, which a tale of sorrow not be
Hearing which the heart aches not, the eyes moist not be

You will surely come my darling, to that i do agree
But what if when you arrive, in this body the breath not be?

What poetry is that through which pain pulses not?
How can it be love, if it a tour of sorrow not be?

Although the blood keep flowing, the cemetery keep growing
But the flame of the fire of the madness of love, lesser let not be

Many a tale have we heard Sifar, of pureness of heart
But whom does the world heed, if his pockets full not be?

Gham Na Ho

Aaj woh ghazal padho Sifar, jo bayaan-e-gham na ho
Sun kar jisey dil na baithe, awr aankh nam na ho

Tum aaoge zaroor, chalo maana hamne hamdam
Magar yun na ho ke tab tak, dam mein dam na ho

Woh shaayari kaisi, jis mein dard na dhadke
Woh aashiqi hi kya jo daur-e-sitam na ho

Chaahe bahta rahe lahu, bharti rahe maqtal
Josh-e-junoon-e-ishq magar hargiz kam na ho

Sune bauhat hain Sifar paak-dili ke fasaane
Kisey poochchti hai duniya gar jeb pur-rakam na ho

A Bit There, And A Bit Here

The spark of love is alight, a bit there, and a bit here
But, fear of calumny is also bright, a bit there, and a bit here

Be it love or hatred, speak you up without fear!
What is this signal that goes, a bit there, and a bit here?

It is the truth that we started off following the straightest path
It is Life that took us, a bit there and a bit here

One hand on a glass of wine, the other on the Eternal Secret
But, what of these whims of mine, a bit there, a bit here?

Where shall we return, Sifar, where is our nest?
So far we have been travellers, a bit there and a bit here

Kuchh Udhar, Kuchh Idhar

Aatish-e-ishq toh rawaan hai, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar
Khauf-e-ruswaai bhi magar jawaan hai, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar

Ishq ho ya bair, bayaan karo tum be-jihijak
Ye kya ke ishaara hai, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar

Nikle toh ham zaroor the, seedhi-si raah par
Kambakht zindagi hai jo le chali, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar

Ek haath jam-e-mai hai, toh doosre raaz-e-haq
Magar ek apni tabeeyat hai, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar

Kahaan lawtenge ham, Sifar, kaun apna thikaana hai
Ab tak toh musaafir rahe, kuchh udhar kuchh idhar

Would Be Good!

that i should now travel beyond this world, would be good
to repay the debt of every breath on life would be good!

when was a merciful glance bestowed upon us, then why believe
that she would so much as look at me? but, it would be good!

mischief in the Saqi’s eyes, or the sorrow of the times
whichever the case might be, its effect on us would be good!

let the night descend, the moon descend, and the veil from her face descend, too
if ever many liquors were to be mixed so, it would be good!

long days have you stayed here, many a blessing enjoyed
were you to become human now Sifar, it would be good!

Achhaa Ho

kar chalein ab ham is jahaan se guzar, achhaa ho
utre karz har dam ka zindagi par, achhaa ho!

kab thi inaayat-e-nigaah-e-karam, phir kyon yakeen?
ke pade gi ham pe unki nazar, magar achhaa ho!

shokhi-e-nazr-e-saqi ho, ya gham-e-dauraan ho
jo kuchh bhi ho ham par us ka asar, achhaa ho!

raat utre, maihtaab utre, awr utre naqaab-e-rukh
mil jaaye yun kabhi mai se mai agar, achhaa ho!

kaee roz rah chuke idhar, bauhat utthaa liye lutf
ban jaao ab tum bhi insaan Sifar, achhaa ho!

Who Is It?

if there is one more beautiful than the queen of the city of my heart,
who is it?
if someone brings such rest to a restless heart, who is it?

each brow furrowed, every heart fatigued
if there is one on whom the struggle to survive weighs not heavy,
who is it?

agreed that you have gathered riches and wealth galore
but, tell us - if you have a friend, a sympathiser, who is it?

evident everywhere, but present nowhere at all
the one who lies hidden in every being, who is it?

you speak with hesitation, you appear downtrodden
share with us Sifar, the cause of your sickness - who is it?

Kaun Hai

Malka-e-shaihr-e-dil sa haseen yaar kaun hai
Aisa qaraar-e-dil-e-beqaraar kaun hai

Har peshaani ba-shikan, har dil choor ba-thakan
Jis par nahin giraani-e-gham-e-rozgaar kaun hai

Maana ke batori hai toone daulat be-shumaar
Bol magar tera aziz, tera gham-khwaar kaun hai

Hai zaahir ja-ba-ja, awr maujood kahin nahin
Har shai mein jo pinhaan, woh pur-asraar kaun hai

Kahta hai daba-daba, rahta hai bujha-bujha
Bata kucch toh Sifar, teri-wajha-e-aazaar kaun hai

Nothing Remains

in this whirligig of night and day, of the signs of my existence
nothing remains
no hope, nor a memory of one: of the instruments of pain,
nothing remains

not the touch of that velvet cheek, nor the fragrance of those
ruby lips
nor the loss of consciousness come midnight - of the dangers to life, nothing remains

before the night of separation, this heart, too was a garden
in spring
the tulips and roses have all withered away, of delight in the garden nothing remains

union with the beloved, a merciful glance, a cure for suffering -
none of these
in this heart wounded by the pain of love, of desire now
nothing remains

the manner of worship forgotten, the meaning of sincerity
un-remembered
of the signs of the moment of the beginning of love, Sifar
nothing remains

Baaki Na Raha

Shab-o-roz ke phere mein hasti ka nishaan kuchh baaki na raha
Umeed koi na yaad kisi ki, dard ka saamaan kuchh baaki na raha

Na chhooan-e-aariz-e-makhmali, na hi maihak-e-lab-e-surkh
Na aakhir-e-shab woh bekhudi, khatra-e-jaan kuchh baaki na raha

Shab-e-hijr se aage ye dil bhi ek baag-e-pur-bahaar tha
Lala-o-gul sab ujad gaye, zauq-e-gulistaan kuchh baaki na raha

Wisaal-e-sanam, nazr-e-karam, madaawa-e-alam mein ek nahin
Is dil-e-ghaayal-e-gham-e-ulfat mein ab armaan kuchh baaki na raha

Tarz-e-ibaadat bhool chuke, maani-e-sadaaqat yaad nahin
Sa’at-e-ibteda-e-shauq ka Sifar unwaan kuchh baaki na raha

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain
Aap jism-o-jaan-e-watan
Ham aapke paaon awr haath hain

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain

Iska Allah, uska Isa, uska Ram hai
Ye shaihar ka khaas, woh aam hai
Koi boodha, koi naujawaan hai
Ye hakim, woh mutrib, woh tarkhaan hai

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain

Bauhat pee chuke lahu zerdaston ka
Bauhat chaba chuke haddiyaan natawaanon ki
Muflison ke niwaale chheen kar bhi
Nahin miti abhi hawas hukm-shaahon ki

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain

Is naasoor se chhutkaara paana hai
Is hukoomat-e-sitam ko hataana hai
Rukh-e-mulk par lagi siyahi ko mitaana hai
Ek naya Hindustan banaana hai

Aap badhiye Anna, ham saath hain

Today It Awakens

1)
so many moons the snow
has lain blissfully upon the mountain-tops
covered in its own blanket
today, it awakens

2)
and the sun, once again
with its teasing and cajoling
has aroused its mind and body
and, melting
the snow has stepped into the river

as does a maiden descend to the water
her pitcher to fill

3)
yes, the apple-trees
are still bare
in supplication
their many hands raised skyward

4)
they do not know yet
the grass has begun to green
and, scattered here and there
thousands of tiny yellow blossoms
have burst through the earth's womb
and dare to show
their infant faces to the sun

5)
but, when will this stupor be broken?
when will the people awaken?
when will honour flower?
when selflessness find its power?

god willing
today, the people will awaken!

Maihboob Meri

Phir aayee ho tum
Apni ghani, siyah, mushkbaar zulfen
Chaandni se dhoye hue

Phir aayee ho tum
Apne gudaaz jism ka ang-ang
Karodon anjum-zeba kiye hue

Awr mein, zamaanon se aashiq tumhaara
Hamesha ki tarha muntazir hoon
Apni abas aas par aitbaar kiye hue

Insaan ho koi
Toh gala ghont bhi daloon
Magar umeed kahaan marti hai?

Umeed ye nahin ke is baar
Tum thaihar jaaogi
Mere hujra-e-weeraan mein
Basar kar jaaogi

Mera tassawur itna bhi naadan nahin
Meri taqdeer itni bhi buland nahin

Umeed sirf itni ke is baar
Tum mera haath thaam kar
Wahaan, door, ufaq paar
Mujhe apne saath le chalo
Jahaan tumhaare siwa kuchh bhi nahin

Ae meri maihboob raat
Kabhi toh apne aashiq ki rakh le baat
Kabhi toh le chal mujhe apne saath

Beloved Mine

once again, you have arrived
with your thick, black, fragrant hair
washed in moonlight

once again, you have arrived
each limb of your graceful body
adorned with countless million jewels

and I, your lover for ages
as always, wait
with vain faith in my fate

were it a person
I would have strangled him
but, does hope die so easily?

hope not that, this time
you will stay:
in my chamber of desolation
spend just a day

my fancy is not that wild
my fate is not that blessed

hope just that, this time
you will hold my hand
and take me with you
there, far beyond the horizon
where nothing exists except for you

oh night, beloved mine!
someday, accede to my passion strong!
someday, take your lover along!

Beloved Mine

once again, you have arrived
with your thick, black, fragrant hair
washed in moonlight

once again, you have arrived
each limb of your graceful body
adorned with countless million jewels

and I, your lover for ages
as always, wait
with vain faith in my fate

were it a person
I would have strangled him
but, does hope die so easily?

hope not that, this time
you will stay:
in my chamber of desolation
spend just a day

my fancy is not that wild
my fate is not that blessed

hope just that, this time
you will hold my hand
and take me with you
there, far beyond the horizon
where nothing exists except for you

oh night, beloved mine!
someday, accede to my passion strong!
someday, take your lover along!

What Will Be

it is unclear the fate of the sorrow-filled heart what will be
tell me, the end of this love for the indifferent beauty, what will be

her memory is enough to endanger one's life
if one were to meet her suddenly, what will be?

he who is habituated to your arrow-like glances since childhood
for that young man, the fear of the gallows, what will be?

when every bud of the heart has been burned by the fire of separation
however beautiful the spring this year, the profit what will be?

the lover who waits for that ravishing beauty, death!
for him, the wait for any other beloved, what will be?

stones do not melt, however the flames might rage
profess your love time and again - the point what will be?

in your own lane have you not earned enough disrepute, Sifar?
if you were to wander into her street, what will be?

Aaj Jaagi Hai

1)
Kitne maihtaab sukh se leti
Barf chotiyon par
Khud apni chaadar odhe hue
Aaj jaagi hai

2)
Aur khurshid ne phir ek baar
Apni chhed-khaani se
Uske jism-o-jaan jaga diye hain
Awr pighal kar
Woh utri hai darya mein

Yun ke utarti ho
Panihaari koi panghat par

3)
Haan, seb ke shajar
Abhi sookhe hain
Mannat mein
Apne kaee haath phailaaye hue

4)
Abhi jaana nahin
Ke ghaas haryiaane lagi
Awr idhar-udhar
Chhote-se hazaar peele phool
Zameen ka seena chaak kar
Sar dikhaane ki
Zurrat karne lage hain

Ye zameen bhi aaj jaagi hai

5)
Magar, kab tootega ye nasha?
Kab ye khalqat kab jaagegi?
Imaan kab maihkega?
Kab fakiri chahkegi?

Inshal Allah!
Aaj ye khalqat jaagegi!

Kya Hoga

Nahin khulta ke hashr-e-dil-figaar kya hoga
Kahe koi anjaam-e-ishq-e-husn-e-bezaar kya hoga

Yaad hi unki kaafi hai jaan ki kharaabi ke liye
Ho jaaye gar kahin unka deedaar kya hoga

Daali ho khu ladakpan se jisne teri naawak-nigaahi ki
Phir us mard-e-jawaan ko khauf-e-daar kya hoga

Kar chuki jab raakh har kali dil ki aatish-e-hijr
Haseen kitni bhi ho phir ab ke bahaar kya hoga

Patthar nahi pighalte aag kitni hi kyun na bhadke
Kijiye jo shar’h-e-aarzoo baar-baar kya hoga

Hai muntazir jo aashiq qaza-e-maihwashaan ke liye
Usey kisi aur maihbooba ka intezaar kya hoga

Apni hi gali mein kya kam zillat mili hai Sifar
Chale gaye junoon mein ham jo ku-e-yaar kya hoga

Night, Murderous Night

gently, the night slips down on the land, as though
someone has lovingly placed her hand on your head

and all one's sorrows and troubles are gone all at once, as though
all one's complaints are lost in the vague half-light of dusk, as though
you and me have become intimate once again, as though

this is but a beautiful lie, beware!
the night might wear
glittering starry anklets on its feet
but, its soft hands hold
the dagger of loneliness

the dagger with which
it has murdered heaven-knows-how-many
unfortunate souls

its fragrant lips
have sipped the blood
of countless heart-broken souls

do not be taken in by the words
of the night's oh-so-sweet lips

do not fall for
the intoxicatingly slow sway of its hips

the night is a merciless, professional murderer
no matter how fragrant-glittering-intoxicating the night
do not be taken in by its soft, warm hands
do not fall into the night's soft, warm, murderous hands!

Qaatil Raat

Utar rahi hai haule se zameen par raat kuchh aise
Rakh diya ho kisi ne pyaar se sar par haath jaise

Aur saare ranj-o-gham jaise yak-ba-yak mit gaye hon
Shab ke dhundhalke mein jaise sab gile gum ho gaye hon
Maano ek baar phir jaise aashna ham-tum ho gaye hon

Hoshiyaar! Ye mahaz ek haseen fareb hai
Is raat ke paaon mein chaahe
Taaron ki damakti hui paazeb hai
Magar uske narm haath
Tanhai ka khanjar liye hue hain
Jis khanjar se usne kitne hi
Alam-naseebon ke qatl kiye hue hain
Uske mahakte hue lab
Laakhon dil-figaaron ka lahu piye hue hain

Raat ke shireen honton ki baaton mein mat aana
Uski sust-gaam chaal ke nashe se dil mat lagaana
Ye raat toh ek beraham peshewar qaatil hai
Chaahe kitni hi mushkbu-o-timtimaati-o-nasheeli kyon na ho raat
Is qaatil raat ke narm haathon pe mat jaana
Is qaatil raat ke narm haathon hargiz mat aana

Rahega

hasti ka apni bas yehi saamaan rahega
baad-e-marg bhi tera armaan rahega

sar-e-baazaar munh pher liya, chal yoon sahi
khaak par bhi meri kya tu anjaan rahega?

jama karta hai jo ye takht-o-taj-o-daulat
bata kitne roz idhar mehmaan rahega?

ku-e-yaar mein ae dost, nazren giraa ke chaliyo
mil gayee jo nigaahen toh bejaan rahega

ho chuka ghaafil apni khudaai ke sabab se
phir kaise nishaan-e-aadam insaan rahega?

chal diya gar Sifar uth kar mahfil se
ik umr tak ye thikaana sunsaan rahega

Kuchh Bhi Nahin

akl-o-fikr-o-tamkeen-o-hosh baaton ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin
sach poochho to insaan jazbaaton ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin

kisi pe nazr-e-karam padi kisi ko bosa-e-lab mila
phir kyon kisi ki naseeb mein laaton ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin

na umeed koi na aarzoo na khushboo-e-yaad-e-yaar
is aiwaan-e-dil mein ab siyah raaton ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin

na dhadkanen hamsukhan huin na kaarvaan-e-khaayal hamkadam
kuchh aise rishte hain jin mein mulaaqaaton ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin

nahin jaam-e-mai giraft mein na pahunch hai raaz-e-haq talak
teri laqeeron mein Sifar khaali haathon ke siwa kuchh bhi nahin

Baat Chali

kal shab phir teri baat chali
mat poochh tu, phir kya baat chali

phir wohi be-rang sa din guzra
phir wohi be-inteha raat chali

le gayee jahaan bhi waqt ki chaal
justajoo-e-raaz-e-haq saath chali

jab chali pur-mahak baad-e-naseem
yaad-e-ishq-e-awwal saath chali

dam-bhar ko hui mulaaqaat unse
be-qaraari magar saari raat chali

hua zamaana ke ja chuka Sifar
phir kyon mehfil mein uski baat chali?

Raat Hui

dil se kal shab Sifar kuchh be-jhijak si baat hui
kuch hamne kahi, kuchh usne, aur guzar raat hui

phir unko dekh kar chashm ashk-baar hue
phir unko na-gawaaraa ye arzi-e-jazbaat hui

dhoondne to nikle the khuda ko ham, lekin
us rahguzar pe Sifar, khud hi se mulaaqaat hui

manaao jashn yaaron, chhoote ham is jahaan se
zindagi na hui maano, qaid-e-hayaat hui

ek Sifar ke nahin hone se kya farq hai duniya mein?
phir wohi surkhi-e-subh phaili, wohi mushkbu raat hui

Ghar Apna

ek muddat se hai aag ke lapton mein ghar apna
aao, jala kar shamein kar lo raushan ghar apna

Na Ho

Aur kuchh bhi ho hamse, bas ek jurm-e-ishq na ho
Gunaah woh ho jo khud apni saza na ho

Har zarra farozaan hai uske hi noor se
Khurshid bhi bujh chale agar uski raza na ho

Kaee din se haal dil-e-zaar ka patla hi hai, Sifar
Ye sada jo hui kiwaar par, kahin qaza na ho

Jab tum bichhad chuke, to bahaar ko bhi rok lo
Ghazal-khwaan gulistan na ho, mushkbu faza na ho

Shahr-e-husn-e-beparwah ka insaaf kya kahiye
Qatl bhi ho, qaatil bhi ho, magar janaaza na ho

Jashn-e-marg-e-Sifar hai saqi, khaatir kuchh khaas ho
Koi rind hosh mein na rahe, koi be-maza na ho

Raat

Phir kati raat haathon mein khaali jaam liye
Dil mein mauhoom kuchh yaadein, labon pe bhule hue naam liye

Raat

Phir kati raat haathon mein khaali jaam liye
Dil mein mauhoom kuchh yaadein, labon pe bhule hue naam liye

Gulshan-e-yaad

Aao, phir ek baar gulshan-e-yaad ki sair karen tum-ham
Liye haathon mein haath phir chalen do-chaar kadam
Jodkar nigaahon se nigaahen baithen muqaabil kuchh dam

Ye woh gulshan hai jisme khizaan aati hi nahin
Chhod kar jisey khushboo-e-naseem-e-sahar jaati hi nahin
Na murjhaate hain phool, na hi zard patte jhada karte hain
Na hota hai ishq rusva, na ushaak-o-but bichhadte hain
Yahaan doobe hue dilon ki sada aati hi nahin

Maana ke ye sirf ek khwaab hai, magar haseen toh hai
Go apni kismet pe nahin, apne khwaabon pe yaqeen toh hai

Toh aao, phir is chaman-e-khwaab ko chalen ham
Door zamaane ki nazron se gale milen ham

Saqi

dekh, may toh sab tamaam hui
kar tu ab apni nazar idhar saqi