Asian Literary Society

खड़ी दहलीज पर कबसे, कहीं से तू सजन आए, झलक तेरी बलम देखूँ, कहीं दिल चैन ये पाए| न पूछो किस तरह तुम बिन गुज़ारे रात दिन मैनें, सजाये ख़्वाब बस तेरे नयन में ऐ सजन मैनें, चले आओ पिया जल्दी कहीं धड़कन न थम जाए | खड़ी दहलीज पर......................... बड़ा बेदर्द है रे तू, गया वादा किये मुझसे, कहा था लौटकर प्रियसी मिलूँगा मैं जल्द तुझसे, नजाने क्यूँ तुने मुझको स्वप्न झूठे से दिखलाए | खड़ी दहलीज पर......................... विरह के गीत दिल गाये, तुझे ही याद करता है, हरिक पल आह ये प्रियवर सदा तेरी ही भरता है, घने बादल बने आंसू, नयन मेघा है बरसाए। खड़ी दहलीज पर......................... अरे मज़बूर हूँ इतनी, न घर से मैं निकल सकती, हरिक पल रास्ता लेकिन, निगाहें ये तेरा तकती, ज़माना ये बड़ा ज़ालिम, सितम मुझपर बड़े ढाए| खड़ी दहलीज पर......................... तड़पती मीन जैसे नीर बिन, मैं भी सजन ऐसी, बिना प्रियतम भला ये जिंदगी सोचो ज़रा कैसी, तुम्हारी राह तकते गुल मुहब्बत के हैं मुरझाए | खड़ी दहलीज पर......................... घुटन में जी रही कबसे, मुझे आज़ाद होना है, मुहब्बत में पिया तेरी, मुझे आबाद होना है, यही सोचूँ...

विरंजित सीलन भरी दीवारों में, दमघोंटू गलियों के चौबारों में,  काल - कोठरी से कमरों की बस्ती, में गुम हो जीवन ज्यौं अँधियारों में। किस डर ने आतंक मचाया जम कर, लेती टोह बाट की, बाला ढककर, अपने चेहरे को दो आंखें छोड़े, क्या आस ले हिम्मत करे सिहरकर? कैद हुआ तन पर मन पंछी भटके, उन्मुक्त गगन में उड़ने को हटके, शापित दुनिया के शापित कोनों से, खोल के किवाड़ के पल्लों के फटके। जीने का माहौल भयावह रहता, रुकता गिरता आखिर चल ही पड़ता; जीवन का श्रृंगार यही होता है, तपकर कुंदन सा जो और निखरता।

If I were a cloud of wispy ice crystals, happiest soul in yonder soaring high, Would be sailing on wings of parental faith who left me high and dry. Mother Earth looks up worried with creases, yearning for my visits, Father Water rises to the occasion, to keep up my spirits. Hover around for glimpses of my cute siblings, Cumulous, Stratus, Cirrus, Left awestruck by the aura around my eldest sister Nimbus. On the move, new places, new friends along Ganges and Indus, Merriment with bird flocks in frolic, throw parties setting sky abuzz. Taking in the beauty, that Mother creates diligently each day, As Father tends to it by nurturing, meandering all the way. Wafting over towns and cities I sigh, wish there were more trees, Gliding atop valleys, hills, and mountains, feel the chill and freeze. Drunk on gallons of elixir, get blitzed, dance traipsing all over, Recover to sublimate my binging bout, over parched lands into the shower. Drape myself in finest organz...

If I were a cloud, I would not only bring rain, But make my mission to ease out some pain. I would keep a proper track of loss and gain, And would never let my showers go in vain. If I were a cloud, I would float across skies, And very carefully search with my keen eyes, For any parched piece of land sending outcries, And soak it well, lest, it cracks up and dries. If I were a cloud, I would irrigate well, the soils, Lending a big support to each farmer who toils, Day in and day out, his hands strewn with boils, Struggling hard to produce enough grains and oils. If I were a cloud, I would give those places a skip, That possess a natural tendency to flood and drip. In order to remove the fear of devastation in a zip, That keeps the living creatures in its dreadful grip. Lastly, if I were a cloud, I'd choose where to pour, And where to pass by with a mere thunder and roar, Judging, where and when I am needed less or more, So, rivers and oceans are full and our...

Clear blue summer skies, one of nature’s delight Lay back on the grass watching the lovely sight Scurrying, hurrying fleecy clouds, changing shapes and faces If I were a cloud, I’d be in these races Weary of wandering at the end of the day As evening sets in, the sun on the horizon lay Sky in strokes of yellow, orange and different hues If I were a cloud, I’d paint myself to amuse Feeling low and under the weather Don’t want to be cirrus or cumulus altogether Form a stratus and lower the temperature that is higher If I were a cloud, I’d have a little outburst to make myself lighter Sweating under the sweltering scorching heat Cover the sun and hasten its retreat If I were a cloud, I’d loom large and gray With the thunderous boom, vent my anger away Parched fields and dry wells Worried farmer’s eyes with tears swell If I were a cloud, I’d be a mighty nimbus Shower abundantly and graciously, selflessness at its simplest I’d like to be a rainbow cloud with a...

From the balcony of our home-stay, we could see small patches of fields and some trees sloping down and resting on the tops of the trees, who stood there, feet firmly planted somewhere deep down in the valley. Beyond that, long stretch of green mountains rose to reach high in the sky. Layers and layers of mountain ranges stretched far and high. On this perfectly set stage entered those feather feet blithe dancers, soft white clouds. At one moment they rushed in large group swirling, whirling, bursting with energy and in a blink of eyes stage got cleared. High, elegant, strong mountains stood vibrating under the impact of stupendous, energetic performance. And then from far off corner drifted in another group slowly, gracefully, rhythmically. They floated in the outstretched arms of the hill, nestling in the comfort of their solidity. The lightness of their movement, the softness of their mudras, as if could be touched. We stood there mesmerized by the magnificent, exquisite show of fe...

If I were a cloud, I would wander around freely, Travel to places, in groups or lonely. Like my Mother Earth and Father Water, I would be desired by everyone, that will matter. If I were a cloud, I would be the benevolent type, I would not discriminate between lands or hype. I would keep floating and giving rain, To all places, irrespective of the terrain. If I were a cloud, I would go to barren lands, Where mankind is suffering, in dry and parched sands. Giving relief from the heat to those in pain, I would sacrifice myself, to be formed again. If I were a cloud, I would travel to that lonely place, Where a lover is trying to woo his beloved, to see her smiling face. I would roar and thunder, to create an atmosphere so romantic, Everyone will be in love around, there will be nothing to be frantic. If I were a cloud, I could be moody at times, When in the angry mood, I can be dangerous sometimes. In my calmer mood, I would blend with the cl...

Wandering aimlessly last night in a dream,  I met a cloud on whose bosom, a thunder screamed,  I asked it, "why are you so proud? Not present at places of need, at places you are too loud?" "Don't you have a heart, creating havoc unhesitatingly you blast? Can't you think better and plan smart?" The cloud said to me, wearing a divine shroud,  "Tell me what will you do if you were a cloud?" In my ego, I said, if I were a cloud, I would make sure I am never so loud,  Giving equal rain to each place, I will make my God, happy and proud. If I were a cloud, I will go to all places, And, I will draw with my colour, water traces,  So none would ever die of thirst, There will be a world happy and just. The cloud smiled, "you think I am unjust?, You humans don't have even an iota of trust, In some false sense of superiority, You are yourself inviting, all these calamities."  How can a cloud fly, if you taint ...

O’ if I were a cloud ever,  I would impregnate myself with such drops of water, That could bring the rain of love and peace everywhere, Aha! That could enrich the hearts with joy and cheer, That could wash away all pain and worries of the world, That could shower only love, taking away all hatred! O’ if I were a cloud ever,  I would paint myself with wonderful colors, And I would shade the lives which are left bare, Aha! I would brim their soul with abundant care, O’ I would paint a canvas in every heart, That could be preserved until death departs! O’ if I were a cloud ever,  I would emit a light of hope and laughter, Taking away all gloom of darkness, I would spread the rays of brightness, A light that could illuminate compassion and kindness, Masking all agony, cruelty, and selfishness! O’ if I were a cloud ever,  I would traverse those deserts and barren lands here, Which scream in thirst for a drop of water, Wh...

Beautiful clear blue thin sky I wish I could be like clouds to sigh Wanting to reach of those birds flying high If I were a cloud I will not let the darkness cover my face     So all those birds can seek refuge without losing their pathway If I were a cloud I will let you rest in my foamy bed To give the comfort  of your solemn heart  Be at peace, forget the dearth  Be at ease to  feel its breezy wind affection And forget your sorrow and desperation If I were a cloud I will be a haven of your destiny To be with me forever loving eternally To protect you from  storms of worries To gain happiness with our own love stories Like a clear blue thin sky, it will always shine Clouds protect our atmosphere Gives beauty to hills and mountain grace our nature If I were a cloud I will shower rain in control with no thunderstorm To give you my loving protection  I will allow rainbow to stay with me every day...

If I were a cloud, Cirrus I’d be… Wisps of white, soft; not loud. On clear blue skies, wild and free, The one you’d see, would be me… If I were a cloud, Thundering Nimbus I could ne'er be, Or round Cumulus, drifting in a crowd, I’d be the one, you’d long to see, In my bosom, the promise of a fine day, I’d bring with me… If I were a cloud, I’d travel far and wide; no boundaries to shun, Dark despairs of gloom, I’d banish away; happiness avowed, On a canvas vast, a ‘tuft of hair’ you'd see or a ‘mare’s tail’ on the run, An artist’s stroke, delicate streaks, silky sheen; I’d be the one. If I were a cloud, I’d don the colors of the golden sun, Not for me, the modest white, the dark grey shroud, But, hues of yellow, orange, mauve, and crimson, A palette bright, flaming tones, you’d watch me stun… If I were a cloud, I’d watch over you all the while, From my perch up high, up in the sky, And when you look up and smile, I’d know, ...

Similar Sangfroid Mirror mirror on the wall, staying still soaking it all, Reflecting on you, I look a bit tall, do you display rise and fall? How can one mimic same over the years, You are casting back a devious game, have my own fears. Where are the scars and hurt, lacerating my heart? Mischievously smile back, the dubious veteran that thou art. Smoothe out creases, lighten up dark circles, hide all tears, Slyly skew my looks and assure me with a Cheers! As I struggle with a storm raging on the inside, You show a calm countenance, setting all aside. Where are those worries that catch up one with age? Instead, I greet a girl who breathes chime for change. Why this semblance you are tempted to show, I dare you to look intently, for a perceptive persona to throw. Tried it all, from plane to custom-made solid immersion, But each one enhanced, leaving me pleased with the illusion. Oh! Now that I gather, you are an inverted mirage, Wizardry in duplication, flipping virtu...

The mirror on the wall is a handy grooming assistant, Oh how we practice our smiles, compose our faces, tuck in a rebellious strand of wispy curls, Give ourselves a quick appraisal look, And practice putting our best foot forward- All for the physical, outside, world... When do we really look within? Are we as persons, genuine? Does our inner eye take note of what we 'see' physically? Do we see even a faint sign of the ideal human being, we wish to be? Can we look through to the real you/me unpeeling all the masks that we wear? The mirror on the wall is non-judgemental, Let's read the writing on the wall, that it reflects, For the good of one and all...

On a murky day like this when you fog, A veil of misconstrued thoughts my mind to clog, I am a reflection like a portrait forgotten in smog, Lying in an attic that’s smothered by mildew stuck to a damp log. I carefully wipe away the moist film-like shroud, Squeaking with redundant memories screaming loud, I ignore the jarring feeling every corner of the frame as though thoughts crowd, It’s taken so long to let go of this gloomy cloud! All the contours now highlight themselves with realization, Details surface and my eye windows discern a revelation, That the lines drawn are my own and worth some correction, The sky clears to show me I’m not celebrating some perfection. Without batting an eyelid, I stare at my eyes reflecting the light, In them, I see my journey through births spinning in a flight, I’ve come a long way to comprehend wrong from right, For now, all I can be is thankful of my insight and visual sight. All of a sudden there on the wall I see only beaut...

Mirror, mirror on the wall In you my journey I recall I have peeped into you when young and small Looked in you umpteen times when growing tall I learnt from you to smile and look beautiful always You taught me how to look coy; and with fluttering eyes gaze I saw in you how to walk smartly and elegantly Looking at you I practised my elocution covertly Seen you with sad , forlorn and teary eyes Broken-hearted ; forced to say those goodbyes You looked back and urged to put back that smile The message was clear ; dark clouds will clear in a while When I looked in you beautifully adorned as a bride My radiant smile you reflected back with eyes beaming with pride As the years passed your reflections were more clearer When you showed me those first white streaks ,I screamed in horror With time fleeting I don’t meet you often as before The creases and wrinkles I can hide from you no more You’ve been my friend and silent admirer for long You now see my frail frame, but...