Asian Literary Society

I am a brown leaf preparing to touch the ground Subtly and softly without making a sound But I have not been like this always I have seen my spring and summer days. I had been firm and resolute Proud about being attached to my routes Undaunted by several futile attempts to tear me off Thrilled about the battles with the winds, that went long! I had always been strong Except that today, when I consciously fall Attracted by a cosmic call I realize, this way or that I will remain connected to the ground! Not scared of being crushed under feet To be ground to pieces  I know integrated or disintegrated, I belong to the earth. It is from her that I will arise again Taking a new form To be reborn again after the winter I the autumn leaf need a fall!  

 As I watered my plants their leaves rustled in glee The motley flowers swayed their heads in happiness The breeze tugged and hugged me in delight And in gratitude did my pneuma they caress   A small pearly dew winked as it sparkled The cuckoo on the branches cocked its head to sing The green grass nodded as it waved in harmony A symphony was being born as rhapsody rang in   The azure sky was holding cotton balls in its bosom Which like minstrels in gay abandon wandered They signaled to me that it’d be a warm day  I looked up as the bright golden ball meandered   A drizzle appeared from nowhere clinging on my soul bare Puzzled as I watched, the naughty duo to ask Hey!  a while ago you told me you’d not pour And in the warmth of your cloak, I could bask? They smiled and said they’re playing hide-and-seek The pond in the neighborhood wanted a splash I pretended to be upset even while joyous within My conversation with nature was nothing less than a bash! ...

When I was a child, The festive spirit meant for me, New clothes, lots of sweets, firecrackers, It was the joy of meeting cousins, uncles, aunts. When I grew older and went to college, I discovered the festive spirit in Hanging out with friends, admiring  clothes, And inviting them and getting invited to parties. When I got married, I created the festive spirit, Cleaned the house, prepared sweets, and snacks, Bought new clothes for the children, And visited friends and relations. Now I am old and full of wisdom, I find within me, a festive kingdom, When I give away sweets and clothes To the hardworking and less fortunate. Now I realize, this is the true festive spirit, Which we discover in sharing and caring, Festivals don't mean just lights, food, and clothes, They mean generosity, magnanimity. If everyone cared for the underprivileged, If we cared for our nation, worked honestly, This, our land of festivals and saints, Would  overflow with the festive spirit. Attachments are...

Festive spirit brings forth abundant joy, Heart full of gratitude, grace experienced, Shared sweet memories to create and amass, Food, clothes, camaraderie unified for special days. Smiles highlighted, houses cleaned, Sparkles everywhere, devotion soaring high, Daub colours of joy and content on each other, There’s a festival for every season thus. Yet, why do I experience grappling numbness? Year again, I fail to participate in the gala show, The warmth of candles and the merriment galore, Why can’t they touch my being even once? The projected joviality through varied media, The enthusiasm and the boisterous spirit of festivity, I surmise them to be false, an abhorring apparition, Playing with human sentiments mercilessly. While huge chunk of people in darkness, With ailments and pandemic in every home, The real essence of festival is to share and care, And, to light up homes with positivity. Displaying material success is the new trend, Distorted perfection force-fed and luring masse...

'नैनों का  उनसे उलझना सुलझना बातों के जादू में गिरना सम्भलना रेशम की डोरी से पेंच लड़ाना जाने बढ़ी कब पींग चढ़ीं, नज़दीकियां ज़ुल्फ़ों का तौबा, बिखरना संवरना ख़्वाबों का रोज़ाना बनना बिगड़ना चूड़ी और पायल खनकना छनकना सतरंगी लगें, मधुरिम ये, नज़दीकियां बाबा की लोरी का राग समझना मल्हारी,कजरी और फाग समझना अम्मा की आँखों की भाषा को पढ़ना आया तभी जब मन से निखारी, नज़दीकियां उम्र की बेड़ी को तोड़ गिराना रस्मों रिवाज़ को छोड़ निभाना  ख़्वाहिशों के खुले गगन में उड़ जाना मनरंगी हुई जब खुद से सँवारी , नज़दीकियां झांका जो अपने अंदर तो पाया जग सारा अपना ,नहीं कुछ पराया थोड़ी समझ, थोड़ी आशा  से देखो बढ़ाकर जरा सबसे प्यारी ये, नज़दीकियां'

उनसे नज़दीकियाँ  कुछ इस कदर थी कि  कभी हम दोनों के बीच  दूरियां आई ही नहीं  न जिन्दगी भर  न मौत ही इन्हें  छीन पाई  खुदा से जो होती होगी ना मोहब्बत  यह मोहब्बत उससे भी कई गुना ज्यादा थी  एक मन में बसे मन्दिर और  तन में विराजमान शिवाले सी ही  पवित्र, विराट और पाक साफ थी  अमृत की एक गंगा सी पावन धार थी यह  स्वर्णिम अक्षरों से गुदी हुई आसमान को छूती कोई  मीनार थी यह  रूह भी स्वच्छ, दिल भी दमकता  एक सुई में पिरोते चले गये किसी  सच्चे मोतियों की एक दूसरे में समाई  आत्माओं के समग्र रूप की  नाजुक  नज़दीकियों से भरी एक करिश्माई माला थी यह।

जिस्मानी फासले बढ़ रहे हैं हमारे तुम्हारे दरमियां फिर भी यकीनन नज़दीकियां बढ़ रही है दिलों में हमारे क्यों करते हैं इंतजार हम तुम्हारी एक झलक पाने का? क्यों चुपके से रखते हो हमारे रुखसार पर नजर जरा सा दिख जाने पर? नज़दीकियां इतनी होने पर भी क्यों हम फासलों में कैद है ? दुनिया से डर है या और कोई भेद है  ? तन्हा तन्हा रहना  आदत बन गई है हमारी दूरियां नज़दीकियों में क्यों नहीं बदल रही है हमारी ? फासले चाहे कितने भी रहे हमारे तुम्हारे दरमियां नज़दीकियां फिर भी हम तक पहुंच जाएगी किसी छोटे झरोखे से हवा की तरह  फासलों ने हीं नजदीकियां बढ़ाई है  फिर से उन दूरियों की तलब मुरझाई है बेमानी सी लगती है नजदीकियां यदि प्रेम की भावनाओं का समावेश ना रखे नजदीकियां