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