Twisters 26 - 50

He looks at his watch. Two O'clock. Why am I not sleepy, he mumbles. He has to get up early. I don't like the concept of time, he said.

The bar played a song. They both used to sing this together. Been 3 years, the song's not off the charts. He couldn't finish the drink.

She made him steak. From behind her, he whispered, you looking gorgeous. She took it as a sign. Removed her shirt. He gobbled up the steak.

He refused to eat the pie she made. Too bland, he said. She turned down the wine he got. Too cheap for my tastes, she said. They made love.

His book is still kept among the bestsellers. He can see people waiting in queue for that. He smiles. His breakup is getting him money now.

Once, an apple of eye, she turned into a lemon. Squirting the sour juice of jealousy in his eyes. I once loved her, he thought. Not anymore.

I don't look good in this", she said. "You look gorgeous, as always", he said. She was happy. His love had replaced her anti depressants.

He took a bite. The burger was stale. He saw a beggar. "Nah! I'll rather give it to those starving Africans." On the way, he ate it all.

Everytime she clicked a poor man in torn clothes, the old man smiled for the camera. The photgrapher won accolades. The old man, his bidi.

The burnt part of steak was always fed by him to his dog. It was a ritual. Every night, the dog writes in his blog, "Asshole burnt it again"

No missed call. No mail either. The door bell didn't ring the whole day. He looked at his dog. "Looks like, it's you & me again for dinner"

The kid had his eyes on a small car. He wanted his dad to buy that. The rich dad bought a Phantom. Kid still has his eyes on that cheap car.

He got her a bouquet of flowers. She threw them out of the window. A kid picked them up. 50 flowers, for 50 girls, he thought, smiling.

He had this fantasy of trying girls' clothes. Got a chance one day. Came out traumatised. Her bra fit him properly. He signed up for gym.

The money bought him the bouquet, not the acceptance from her. The flowers are still there, in a gold vase, mocking the poor rich.

All he needed was a pen, a diary, and the memories of their past. With every word, every tear, someone was making money.

She picked the bestseller from the stand. Halfway through the book, the story sounded familiar. She won't need to read any further now.

Falling in love with his muse for the novel, was his biggest mistake. Little did he know, she was writing her own story. He was the muse now

Among the many words that made some sense to him, he found a page full of gibberish words. He knew, his glass was empty, and needed a refill

With every sip of scotch, the words made more meaning to him. But it was a love story. Dark. Bitter. He knew he should have chosen a beer.

He looks at the photo she posted, with her new partner. "Still strikes the same pose", he said. And then he sees the guy's hand on her waist

He broke the glass in his hand. There was scotch on the floor. There was blood too. And some glass pieces, shining in glory, bright red.

In the middle of the night, he wakes up. He wakes up again and again, every night. "Why can't they invent a log out button for memories?"

His book had an incomplete ending. Readers were trying to figure out the possible end. The torn page from the manuscript was in his pocket.

The fat cat was being hunted, for she spilled the milk. "They think they can kill me!", she said, while feasting on those poisoned rats.

Twisters 1 - 25

He wakes up, when half of the day is already over. He slaps himself on the face. It means, another sleepless night. Another lonely night.

He saw the puppy with her. "Why would she bring that on a date?", he thought. "Ain't it looking cute?” she said. It wasn't a date anymore.

From the 13th floor, she pushed him out. For a brief moment, her love was in the air. "Thudd!". She was still laughing on that joke.

There was tension in their relationship. A trip to Spain could help. Nothing like Tomatina. Just that, they both had stones in their hands.

The smoke came out of my lungs. The smoke came out of me. The smoke wasn't just smoke anymore. It had some part of me.

It did not take her much to change her mind. She was already over him. It was the fear of changing the house that kept her close to him.

They met. Almost a year, and nothing had changed. Except that her longing for him was for real. And he wasn't falling for that again.

Behind that silly emoticon, was a string of words, waiting to be decoded by him. He hates smileys. She's still waiting for a reply.

The crab was served. She was still afraid. "C'mon honey, break the shell", he said. She smashed its head with a hammer. He gulped.

I watched you sleeping. Your eyes closed, I sensed the warmth in your last breath. I saw you leaving this place, for a better world.

In a meeting full of mundane suggestions, he was asked to think out of the box. He did. "Impossible", came the reply. "I knew that", he said

He was asked, "Who is your best friend?". He had categorized them all. Good. Better. Best. "Damn! I should have ranked them also", he said

Sex with him was the second best part of the night for her. The best part being, her prince charming inviting her on his own.

She went inside to get her breasts cosmetically enhanced. Came out diagnosed with a lump. Teary eyed, she went straight inside a wig shop.

She got stilettos. "It'll be easier for him to look directly into my eyes". He was still gazing at something else. "Damn this tank top."

In the dark room, she kissed him. He could taste cigar in her mouth. He knew, she doesn't smoke. His hands were searching for his shotgun.

He felt a sudden sensation. Pain. It was his back. "I love you", she said. "Didn't want to see you suffering". He knew his knife was missing

There was blood. And him. Lying there, motionless. There was peace on his face. Like a sleeping baby. "Good. He ain't snoring now", she said

Left the scene. Walking in the grass, she saw a caterpillar. "Good I saw you. Would've got crushed". Inside, he was lying in his own blood.

In the times, when everyone was living in his own parallel universe, my universe bisected me, perpendicular. A Jekyll and a Hyde were born.

When I was struggling with my Jekyll & Hyde, the li'l baby was trying to figure out, what happened to Jack & Jill. Kept the innocence alive.

He rubbed the sugar, instead of salt against the her Tequila glass. She didn't complaint. She knew, he was nervous. It was his first night.

He performed a stand up act in a party. No one laughed. In every party now, they laugh on his failure. He succeeded in making them laugh.

The sound of him catching his breath between 2 lines while singing was a subtle reminder to him that he was just another human, but with better voice.

रणगाथा

 

युद्ध ही आदि है, युद्ध ही अंत है.

युद्ध ही विकास है, युद्ध ही विनाश है.

युद्ध ही तेरा धर्म है योद्धा, युद्ध ही तेरा इम्तिहान है.

रणभूमि की गोद से निकला योद्धा, तू युद्ध से भी विशाल है.

 

शिकन नहीं माथे पर तेरी, उज्जवल तेरा लालिमा सा रक्त है,

भय नहीं अभय है तू, निर्भय, तू कालिमा का भक्त है.

 

बादलों की आढ़ में छिपा तेरा भगवान् भी लाचार है,

भिड़ेंगे योद्धा कुछ ऐसे, हार जीत का ही समाचार है.  

 

जिस प्रेमिका के होठों का है तू प्रेम गीत योद्धा,  

उस प्रेमिका की लाज बचा, रणभूमि की यही गुहार है.

जिस माँ की आँखों की बेचैनी बन तू आया यहाँ,

उस माँ के आशीर्वाद में क़ैद तुझसे जीत की फ़रियाद है.

 

जिस चिन्घारी ने तेरा घर जलाया, तेरे दिल में आज वो आग है.

जिस भस्म को माथे पर रगड़ आया आज, तेरे शत्रु की वो राख है.

 

सैंकड़ो सूर्यों का तेज लिए, अद्धभुत तेरा कपाल है.

सहस्र भुझाओं के बल से बनी, कठोर तेरी ढाल है.

रक्त से सींची हुई तेरी जो तलवार है.

तेरी रूह सी ही चंचल चपल, तेरे बाण हैं, कमान है.

 

युद्ध की ललकार, आरम्भ हुआ हाहाकार, शंख नाद का शोर प्रचंड है.

नत्त्मस्तकों के शीश, हाथ में लिए, योद्धा तुझे अपनी जीत पर घमंड है.

 

टूट पड़ तू ऐसे युद्ध का तू हैवान है,

गर्व कर भुजाओं पर अपनी, इन् हाथों में तलवार है. 

मन तेरा बलवान है, शौर्य महान है,

धरती तेरी दास है, सेवक आसमान है.

 

गरज गरज आज ऐसे, तेरी हुंकार से दिल सहम जाने दे,

बरस बरस आज ऐसे, तेरे कोप में सब बह जाने दे.

 

यह चिंघाड़ते शेर हाथी तेरी जीत का ऐलान हैं.

यह कांपती सी धरती उनकी हार का प्रमाण है.

देश में तेरे खुश बच्चे बूढ़े तेरी जीत का ऐलान हैं.

शत्रु के सीने में लहराता तेरा ध्वज उनकी हार का प्रमाण है.

उनकी हार का प्रमाण है, उनकी हार का प्रमाण है.

 

- Prateek

  

Dard Toh Hua Hoga...

देखकर तस्वीर उस लड़की की

जिसकी उछाल दी इज्ज़त भरे बाज़ार में

उस लड़की की तस्वीर देखकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा 

 

देखकर इंटरवीयू उस लड़की का

जिसके मुंह से दो शब्द ना निकल पा रहे थे

उस लड़की के आंसू देखकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

सुनकर शब्द उस व्यक्ति के

जिसने लड़की को बचाने की कोशिश में चोट खा ली

उस व्यक्ति की बेबसी सुनकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

देखकर खामोशी उन् लोगों की

जो आस पास घेरा बनाए तमाशा देख रहे थे

उन् लोगों की नपुंसकता देखकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

सुनकर कठोर शब्द समाज के

जो आज कोस रहे हैं खुद उस लड़की को

उस समाज के दोग्लेपन्न का हिस्सा बन

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

पढ़कर इंटरवीयू  नेता महाशय का

जो दूसरी पार्टी को इसका ज़िम्मेदार मानते हैं

उस नेता के असली रंग देखकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

और देखकर शान उन् हैवानों की

जो आज भी खुल्ले आम सड़क पर घूम रहे हैं

उन दरिंदों की हिम्मत देखकर

दर्द तो हुआ होगा.

 

दर्द तो हुआ होगा

मगर दिल बहलाने को और भी तरीके तैयार हैं.

दर्द तो हुआ होगा

मगर हर बड़ा दर्द सहने को, हर कोई लाचार है.

- Prateek

Thoda Khatta Sa Thaa

Mazaa chakhaa,

thoda khatta sa thaa.

Zindagi choomi,

thoda jhijhak rahi thee.

Safaltaa go galey lagaaya,

paani ka gubbaaraa sa phat gaya.

Jhoothe vaadon ki mithaas ke beech,

kadvi sharaab, galey se utar na sakee.

Aur maayoosi wahaan kone per khadee,

muskuraati rahi....

- Prateek

I'm Not Meant to be Understood

Nah. I'm not meant to be understood.

I'm meant to be just read. Like a book. Page by page, first word to the last word. Till the words start making any sense. And then to be passed on to some other hands. And some other hands. Till the last page gets stained. Till the jacket refuses to hold my stories together anymore. Till the story becomes a tale told and retold. There. There I'm now. In your kids' bedtime stories. In the screenplay of that mega-hit movie. In the quotes, surrounded by quotes of many unknown, just like me. To be copy pasted. To be twisted. And twisted. And twisted, till the words start making yet another sense.

I'm meant to be heard. Like a tape. Song by song, first note to the last beat. Till the song makes it to the Billboard charts. Till the song finds place in your lover's mind. Till the radio keeps abusing, and abusing, and abusing the soul out of the song. To be forgotten someday. There. There I'm now. In a music store, placed under the classics. In the contests, being hummed, only to be recognised by someone who once heard me. To be played in the nightclubs, when all the hipsters gather around the stereo, smoking, drinking and being merry. To be twisted. And twisted. And twisted till the music inspires another guitar to weep, yet again.

I'm meant to be just watched. Like a circus. Act by act, from a unicycle to the fall of the last trapeze artist. Till the circus is house full. Till the circus remains there for 30 days. Till the circus travels to the last city. Till the last child keeps laughing at the sight of the joker. Till the last tiger dies, dreaming of getting unleashed someday. To be forgotten someday. There. There I'm now. In your favorite movie, where the hero is performing a motorcycle dare, without a double. Only to be revived by a rich goon, who is smuggling the seals, and tigers, and monkeys and girls. Lots of girls. Till the last girl in the village is bought. Till the last elephant kicks the ball, waiting for the promised sugarcane he saw last week for the last time. Till one of the act makes it to the records.

See! There I'm again. To be read. Page by page. Word by word.

And you thought you'll understand me?

-Prateek

Suyodhan Hoon Main

Duryodhan nahin
Suyodhan hoon main.
Suyodhan hee thaa,
Suyodhan hee rahoonga main.

Maine kapat kiya?
Kapati toh woh thaa,
jisey tumne bhagwaan banaa diya.
Main toh sirf ladaa thaa,
ladaa thaa apne haq ke liye
jo tumhaara bhagwaan chheen gaya mujhse.
Galti sirf itni ho gayi,
main haar gaya.

Likhoonga phir ek Mahabhaarat nayi.
Iss baar, koi naqaab na hoga.
Iss baar, koi ilzaam na hoga.
Iss baar, koi bhagwaan na hoga.
Phir likhi jaaegi, ek kahaani,
iss baar, 'khalnaayak' ki zubaani.

Duryodhan nahin
Suyodhan hoon main.
Suyodhan hee thaa,
Suyodhan hee rahoonga main.
---------------------------------------
-Prateek
26/6/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Cycle

Bin zameen par paanv rakhe,
ek din humney, duniya dekhi thee.
Cycle badi thee lekin,
paanv zaraa chhote reh gaye they.
Ab ek baar jo badi cycle uthaa lee,
chhoti sawaari per jaane ka,
mann kisey thaa.
Paanv zameen per na rakhne ki zidd mein,
kharochein khaa le thee ghutnoon ne.
Har kharonch ke aaj bhi gawaah hain woh galee kooche,
cycle per chadker jinpe, fatah paar ki thee humney.
Bin zameen par paanv rakhe,
ek din humney, duniya dekhi thee.
-------------------------------------
-Prateek
16/6/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Taalaab Kinaare...

Bachpan ki baat hai.
Taalaab kinaare jab hum,
paani mein woh chikne patthar phainka karte they.
Aur ginte they, kitni baar woh patthar,
soye hue uss taalaab ko jagaaega.
Kai saalon ke baad,
ehsaas hua achaanak.
Taalaab ko kabhie jhakjhor kar rakh dene waala patthar
aaj kahin shaant baitha hoga
uss taalaab ki gehraaiyon ke sannate mein.
----------------------------------------------
-Prateek
10/6/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Der Ho Gayi

Ravivaar ko der tak sone waale apne bete ko
subah subah television ke aage baitha dekh
thoda chaunk si gayi thee woh.

"Kya hua Rahul?
Jaldi kaise uth gaya?"

"Ma! TV per naya program aa raha hai.
Ek mashhoor film star
bhroon hatya ke khilaaf
aawaaz utha raha hai."

Sunkar ma thoda hadbadaayi.
"Par beta, doosre channel per achhi picture aa rahi hai.
Chalo. Woh dekhte hain.
Main bhi tumhaare saath bathkar dekh loongi."

"Nahin ma! Picturein toh aati rahengi.
Magar yeh dekho ma.
Kaise kuchh log ladki paida hee nahin hone dete!
Kya inn logon ka dil nahin hota?
Kya inhein aisa kadam uthaane mein darr nahin lagta?
Kaise log hain yeh, chheee!"

Sunkar apne bachche ki baat
chali jaati hai woh apne kamre mein.
Nikaalti hai almaari se woh doctor ki report
jiss per likha tha
'Abortion successful'.
Aaj uske aansoo, ruk na rahe they.
-------------------------------------------------
-Prateek
11/5/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

She Danced

Kaafi puraani baat hai.
Ghaati mein saalon ke baad baraf giri thee.
Aur jab sab apne gharon ke andar
mandd choolhe per haath sek rahe they,
woh baahar nikalti hai.

Woh baahar nikalti hai,
baraf se dhakee ghaati ko nihaarne.
Barfaani thand ka ek jhonka
uske gaalon per jaise hee padtaa hai.
Woh naachti hai.

Woh naachti hai, jaise koi kal na ho.
Woh naachti hai, jaise iskey baad koi jashn hee na ho.
Woh naachti hai, jaise aaj woh azaad thee.
Woh naachti hai, jaise yeh baraf uski daas thee.
Woh naachti hai, zindagi ki taal pe.
Woh naachti hai, vaadi ki saaz pe.
Woh naachti hai.

Uss din
aakhri baar usey dekha gaya thaa.
Kisi ne kaha, bhaag gayi hogi marjaani.
Toh kisi ne kaha, maar diya hoga usko.
Kahaan gayab ho gayi
kisi ko nahin pata thaa.
Aur saath hee uske gayab ho gayi
ghaati se woh baraf.

Uss din ke baad aaj tak,
ghaati mein kabhie baraf nahin giri.
Uss saal ki baraf bhi paani ban chuki thee.
Ja mili woh ek gehre samundar mein.

Aaj bhi jab baadal chhate hain.
Aaj bhi jab aasmaan shor machaata hai.
Aaj bhi jab ghaati apni beti ko yaad karti hai
Woh naachti hai.
Gehre samundar ke beech
leher bankar,
woh naachti hai.
Woh naachti hai.
---------------------------------------------------
-Prateek
2/5/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Akelapann (अकेलापन)

Sheher ki shehereeyat se duur
anjaan chehron ki bheed se bhaagte hue
aa khada hua main
samandar kinaare
akelapann ehsaas karne.

Kaafi der tak
samandar ne koshish ki
lehron ko baar baar bhej kar
mere kadmon ki taraf
mujhse baat karne ki.
Magar main toh aaya thaa
akelapann ehsaas karne.
Haar kar
lehrein bhi peechhe hat gayi.

Kaafi der tak
sooraj ne koshish ki
kirnon ko baar baar bhej kar
mere chehre ki taraf
mujhse baat karne ki.
Magar main toh aaya thaa
akelapann ehsaas karne.
Haar kar
dhoop bhi sheethal pad gayi.

Kaafi der tak
chaand ne koshish ki
chaandni ko baar baar bhej kar
meri kaaya ki taraf
mujhse baat karne ki.
Magar main toh aaya thaa
akelapann ehsaas karne.
Haar kar
chaandni bhi andhere mein badal gayi.

Jeet gaya, main jeet gaya.
Aaj akelepann ka jashn manaana hai.
Aur phir khoj mein chal pada
kisi yaar ki
jisko sunaa sakoon kahaani
apni jeet ki.
------------------------------------
-Prateek Garg
29/3/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Kuchh Naya, Kuchh Puraana

Dilli nayee aur puraani ho gayi
Hyderabad bhi, khuchh naya, kuchh puraana hai.
Mumbai suburb aur town mein bant gayi
Aadmi ka dil bhala kya bach paaya hai?

Baantne se yaad aaya
ghar ki chhatt se
saamne ke makaan ka woh nazaara.
Aangan mein baithi maa
aur uske chaaron taraf baithe
chaar chhote bachche
nazar lagaaye hue
haath mein maa ke rakhe
ek seb ki taraf.

Bachcho ki khilkhilaahat ke shor mein
lalchaayi aankhon, aur zor ki bhook ke beech
seb bechaara, kya bantne se bach paaya hai?

Hyderabad ka yeh hissa
zaraa naya hai.
Lekin maa ka pyaar abhi bhi
utna hee puraana hai.
-------------------------------------------------
-Prateek Garg
22/3/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Galactic Love - It's Complicated

Dharti samajhke usko apna
main chaand ki tarah
ghoomta raha aawaara
uski galiyon mein
firaaq mein
ki kahin
ek nazar bhar
dekh le woh
apne deewaane ko.

Mujhe kya maaloom thaa
ki meri dharti bhi
ghoom rahi thee
manchalon ki tarah
aage peechhe
apne sooraj ke.

Jaanti hai
ki sooraj bada dilphenk hain.
Sataata hai woh usko
Lakhon soorajmukhiyon ko roz
pataata hai jo woh.
Aur phir
doob jaata hai jashn mein
raatbhar
apne dost saagar ke saath.

Magar phir bhi
woh karti hai intezaar
nayi subah hone ka.

Dukhi dil se
roz yeh nazaara dekhta hoon
Meri hee chaandni ko
mujhper hansta dekhta hoon
--------------------------------
-Prateek
5/3/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

The Tree By The River

Yaad hai
kalkal karti, shor machaati
nadi kinaare
woh bargadd ka ped?
Aur tehni si latka
woh uncle ke truck ka tyre?
Tabh hum satrah saal ke they.

Aaj bhi hain wahaan,
woh shor machaati nadi,
woh vishaal bargadd ka ped,
rassi se latka woh truck ka tyre,
Sab kuchh hai wahaan.
Nahin hai, toh bus
tum aur main.
--------------------------------
-Prateek
2/3/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Likhoon Aisi Kavita Kaunsi?

Aaj achaanak se
kisi ne poochh hee liya
"Kya miyaan!
Nahin likh rahe ho aajkal
wohi roz ki kavitaayen tum apni?
Lagta hai,
bahut khush ho in dinon tum"

Daftar se ghar tak ka
dedh ghante ka safar
isi uljhan mein beet gaya....

Kyun koode ke dher se,
khaana chugte bachche ka drishya,
mann mein koi kavita nahin la paaya?

Kyun raste ke ek park mein,
jogging karte uss jodey ka nazaara,
mann mein koi kavita nahin la paaya?

Kyun meri uss dost ka,
apne pyaar ke bichhad jaane ka gam,
mann mein koi kavita nahin la paaya?

Aur isi uljhan ke taane baane ko suljhaate hue,
ghar pahuncha hee thaa,
ki achaanak yaad aayi,
uss shakhs ki baat,
"...Lagta hai,
bahut khush ho in dinon tum"

Chain ki saans lete hue,
mann bola,
"Haan.
Bahut khush hoon, in dinon main"
-----------------------------------
-Prateek
27/2/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Sapne Kahin Kho Gaye

Duur kisi chhote se sheher mein
ek tangg galee thee
Uss galee ke baadshah they hum
Aditi, Akshay, Dilip, Priya, aur main.

Woh galee,
jo kabhi hamaari uchhal kood se
hamesha chehekti, goonjti rehti thi,
Aaj aakar dekhta hoon,
sannatte ka shor sunaayi deta hai.
Aur sunaai deti hai cheekhein,
unn bade bade adhoore sapnon ki,
jo basey they hamari,
inn chhoti chhoti aankhon mein.

Aditi ne suicide kar liya.
Uss neta ke khilaaf,
bhrashtachaar ka mudda uthaana,
izzatt ke liye bhi,
aur jaan ke liye bhi,
kaafi mehenga saabit hua.

Inspector Akshay.
Case chal raha hai janaab par,
ghooskhori ka.
Be-imaanon ke beech uthte baithte
kab khudka eemaan bech baithe
pata hee na chala.

Priya,
jo kabhi 'businesswoman' bann-ne waali thee,
pata chala hai
shaadi ho gayi hai.
Do bachchon ko sambhalti hui
ghar ki sethaani see ho gayi hai.
Kisi bhi tarah 'modern' toh nahin lagti.

Dilip.
Na toh koi audience mili,
na koi bada label.
Roz raat ko kisi kitty party mein
ek do gaane gaata hai.
Ameer aurton ka daas banke
raat ko akele ghar mein
guitaar bajaata hai.

Phone karke kehta hai.
"Pata nahin yaar.
kahaan galti ho gayi.
Shayad sapne zyada badey dekh liye,
ya haqeeqat parda kar gayi."

Main chupchaap
sirf suntaa raha.
Shayad meri kahaani bataane ka abhi
sahi waqt nahin thaa.
---------------------------------------
-Prateek
2/15/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

*Loosely based on "The Kids Aren't Alright", by Offsprings.

Desolation

Yeh jo,
gehre rang ki lipstick se
tum apne hothon ko sajaa rahi ho,
bataa rahi hai iski chamak,
kal din bhar, uski yaad mein,
kaafi cigarette ka dhuaan udaa thaa,
kaafi baney they saanson ke chhalle,
aur jaley they tumhaare honth bhi, kai baar.
Kya in jaley honthon ko,
aur der chhupa sakogi?

Yeh jo,
kaale rang ke chashme se
apni aankhon ko dhoop se bacha rahi ho,
ya chhupa rahi ho andhere ki aadh mein
aankhon ke neeche woh kaale ghere,
jo bataa rahe hain
kitni raatein kaati hain tumne jagkar,
uskey intezaar mein.
Aur kitney hee aansoo bahaaye gaye hain,
uss harjai ke jhoothe pyaar mein.
Kya in sach bolti aankhon ko,
aur der chhupa sakogi?

Yeh jo,
dagmag dagmag kar,
beech bazaar mein chalkar,
jala rahi ho laakhon ke dil,
woh madmastt chaal bhi gawaah hai,
pichhli raat ka,
Jab tumne akelepann ka jashn manaaya thaa.
Dekho, abhi tak uss aakhri jaam ka nasha, utraa nahin.
Kya is jhoomti chaal se, apne andar ka khaalipan,
aur der, chhupa sakogi?
---------------------------------------------------------
-Prateek
14/1/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Just Another Secret

Raat ke do baje
dheere se
ghar ka darwaaza kholti hai.
Damn you door. Don't make noise!

Dabe paaon
andhere se bhare
ghar ki deewaron mein
bijli ka switch dhoondti hai.
I hope he's sleeping. Ah, found it.


Magar ujaala hote hee
kuchh chaunk si jaati hai.
Fuck! What is he doing here?

"Arey Priya.
Aa gayi?
Tumhaara hee intezaar kar raha thaa.
Aaj bhi office mein kaafi kaam tha?
Kitna mehnat karti ho tum.
Tumhaare liye paasta banaaya hai.
Khaa lena.
Chal, I'll sleep.
Goodnight."

Ek minute laga usey
khud ko sambhaalne mein.
Achha hua, 
jo Rahul ko shaq nahin hua.
Pata chal jaata
toh usey kitna dukh hota.
Chhahe jaisa bhi ho
I still love him.
But waah Priya, waah.
Kisi baat ko secret rakhna
koi tujhse seekhe.


Aur muskuraate hue
gungunaate hue
let jaati hai
Rahul ke bagal mein.

Karwat lete hue
Rahul bhi hans raha hai.
Naadaan ladki.
Agar jaan gayi
ki sab kuchh jaanta hoon main
yeh ghar toot jaaega.
Ma baap ko dhakka lagega.
Waah Rahul, waah

Kisi baat ko secret rakhna
koi tujhse seekhe. 
----------------------------------
-Prateek
4/1/2012
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Kenchua (Earthworm)

Ek kenchua
bilkul anjaan
duniyaa ke
reeti riwaazon se,
duniyawaalon ki
rozmarra ki
bematlab ki
bhaagdaud se,
reng raha hai
apni hee dhun mein,
naapta hua
kai gaon
kai kasbe
kai sheher.

Arey ye kya?
Kenchue ne
naap liya hai
poora desh!
Media waalon ka
taantaa laga hua hai.
Doorbeen ka focus
chaubees ghante
uske ghar per laga hai.
Aaj kenchua
badi hasti bann-ne waala hai.

Lekin kenchua
bilkul anjaan
duniya mein mili
apni nai pehchaan se,
darr kar
saham kar
dubka hua baitha hai
apne teen foot gehre ghar mein.
Darta hai
kisi ke
jooton ke neeche
na aa jaaye.
--------------------------------
-Prateek
27/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Out of My Deeper Heart

Uss din
dil ke kisi
gehre chhipe kone se
ek chidiya nikli
aur udi
khule aasmaan ki taraf.
Jitna ooncha woh udti
utni hee badi hoti jaati
mere dil se nikli
woh chidiya.

Shuru mein
chhoti maina si chidiya
badi hui
ek cheel mein
Phir bani woh
ek baadal
khwaab ka
Aur phir
sajaa diya aakaash usne
banke sooraj
mere dil se nikli
aag ka.

Aaj wohi sooraj
mere aansuon ko
bhaap bana deta hai.
Aur log kehte hain
saale ko dekho
rona bhi nahin aata hai.
---------------------------
-Prateek
25/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Free Falling

Eyes closed
smiling, at peace
with you in my eyes
arms wide open
ready to break my fall
I'm falling.
Free falling.

I open my eyes
Saved by a trampoline.
Now I rise
and fall.
And rise again
and fall, again.

I see the light
as I rise.
I see the darkness
as I fall.
I see the universe
but you.
I'm falling.
Free falling.

Ek Nrityaangna (The Dancer)

Duur kisi registaan mein
jashn se saraabor
raajmahal mein
apne poore shabaab per
jhoom rahi thee
ek nrityaangna.

Usne kiya nritya
aag ka.
Usne kiya nritya
barchhe, kapaal
aur talwaar ka.
Kiya usne nritya
dharti aakaash ka.
Jhoomti hui
madmast hawaa si
kiya usne nritya
phoolon ka
bhanwron ka
sitaar ka.

Sharaab
raja ke gale se
utar na saki
aisa thaa shabaab
uss nrityaangna ka.
Woh naach
jismaani nahin.
Woh nritya thaa
uski rooh ka.

Rooh.
Jo basti hai mastishk mein
ek gyaani ke.
Rooh.
Jo basti hai dil mein
ek haare hue kavi ke.
Rooh.
Jo basti hai gale mein
ek gaayak ke.
Wohi rooh
apne jism per odh kar
jhoom rahi thee
ek nrityaangna.
-------------------------
-Prateek
20/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Baadalon Per Aashiyaana

Log kehte hain
ki agar tum
duur gagan mein
kisi baadal per baith jaao
aur neeche dekho
toh nahin dikhaayi dengi tumhein
sarhadein
do deshon ke beech
do dilon ke beech.

Bus
takleef isi baat ki hai
ki baadalon per
aashiyaana banana
zara mushkil hai.
--------------------------

-Prateek

17/12/2011

https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Aasmaan Bhi Tumhaara Janmdin Manaaega

Uss raat
jab ghar mein tumhaare
jashn ka sa maahaul hoga.
Jab kat raha hoga cake
aur bat rahi hongi mithaaiyan.
Jab haath mein gubbaare liye
bhaag rahe honge
chhote chhote se woh ood-bilaav.
Jab har badey ke moonh se
nikal rahi hongi
tumhaare liye
dher saari duaaein
Uss raat....

Uss raat
pal bhar ke liye hee sahi
tum ghar ki chatt par aana,
ya khidki se jhaankna,
aur sar ooncha karke
nihaarna
uss khule aasmaan ko.

Chaand ka woh ek
bada sa gubbaara,
Tim tim karte
chamakte hue
khushi se itthlaate woh taare,
Aur chaaron ore phaila hua aakaash
aseemit
bilkul tumhaare iraadon ki tarah
mana raha hoga
kuchh apne hee andaaz mein
tumhaara janmdin.

Usi pal
uss andhere mein
tum aankhein band karna
Tumhaari aankhon mein
ek chhota sa sooraj
chhipa baitha milega.
Jo dega tumhein
kuchh kar guzar jaane ki aag.
Usi aag se
tum aagaaz karna
zindagi ke ek naye padaav ka.

Ab jao,
neeche tumhaare chaahne waale
tumhaara intezaar kar rahe honge.

Happy b'day, Maahi.
https://twitter.com/#!/Maahi_Ve
----------------------------
-Prateek
18/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Safed Kaagaz Ka Tukda

Barf sa safed
woh kaagaz ka tukda
kehta hai
"Safed hee main bana thaa.
Safed hee main rahoonga.
Main jalkar
safed raakh mein badal jaana
behtar samjhoonga,
lekin kisi kaali syaahi ke daag ko
apne oopar lagne bhi nahin doonga.
Main hamesha
shuddh rahoonga"

Paas hee rakhi
kaali syaahi ki dawaat
hans rahi hai
apne poore kaale dil se.
"Main naa jaaungi
iss ghamandee ke paas."

Aur iss tarah
barf sa safed
woh kaagaz ka tukda
zindagi bhar ke liye
shuddh hee reh gaya.
Aur syaahi ke liye
bin kahaani ka
sirf ek kora kaagaz.
-------------------------------
-Prateek
14/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic
*based on a short story by Kahlil Gibran

Delusion?

Ek din
achaanak se
aankh kehti hai
"Doston!"
Mujhe dikh rahi hai
ek sundar ghaati.
Oonche oonche pahaad
rang-birange phool
kalkal karta behta paani
chahakti machalti hui chidiya
aur vishal neela ambar.
Kitna khoobsurat nazaara hai!"

Kaan
sab sunta hai.
aur kehta hai
"Kahaan hai chidiya?
Mujhe toh nahin sunai de rahi
koi chahakne ki aawaaz!"

Haath bola
"Kahaan hai paani?
Kahaan hai pahaad?
Meri pakad mein toh
kuchh nahin aa raha!"

Naak kehti hai
"Kahaan hain phool?
Mujhe toh koi khushboo nahin aa rahi!"

Sab sunkar
aankh
leti hai ek thandi aah
aur kho jaati hai
nihaarne mein
uss addbhut nazaare ko.

Aur yahaan
kaan, haath aur naak
aapas mein budbuda rahe hain
"Raat ko zyada
pee lee lagta hai."
-------------------------------
*based on a short story by Kahlil Gibran


- Prateek
13/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Sab Saale Andhey

Tera maulvi bhi
utnaa hee insaan hai
jitnaa tera pandit.
Aur jitne tum
aur main.

Dharm ki patti
aankhon per baandhe
sab ke sab
saale andhey.

Farq bus itna hai
kisi kisi ka andhaapan
kuchh zyada gehra hai.
Lekin aakhir mein hain
sab ke sab
saale andhey.
------------------------
-Prateek
8/12/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Railgaadi

Aakhri baar kab

railgaadi ki ticket aane per

jhoom uthey they tum?

Arsa ho gaya na?

Ab toh chehre per ek

ajeeb si muskaan aati hai

haathon mein jab

flight ki ticket aa jaati hai.

Aakhri baar kab

khilaunon ki dukaan per

tumne zidd ki thee

ek toy train lene ki?

Arsa ho gaya na?

Ab toh chehre per ek

ajeeb si muskaan aati hai

haathon mein jab bachchon ke

ek video game thamaa dee jaati hai.

Aakhri baar kab

gaon ke ek mele mein

bhaag kar tumne line lagaai thee

chhook chhook gaadi wale jhoole mein

sirf ek ya do chakkar kaatne ke liye?

Arsa ho gaya na?

Ab toh chehre per ek

ajeeb si muskaan aa jaati hai

haathon mein jab khud ke

BMW ki steering aa jaati hai.

Aakhri baar kab....

Arey baap re.

Baaton mein aapsey 

itne mashgool ho gaye

ki flight miss hee kar dete.

Achha, alvida.

-----------------------------

-Prateek

5/12/2011

https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Times Have Changed

Pinjare mein bandd sapne
bejaar ho gaye. 
Khwaabon per lagaam aisi kasi
ki haqeekat ka dum 
ghutne laga.


Aankh khuli
toh din mein bhi andhera thaa.
Sooraj bhi sharma ke
chaand sa hone laga.


Meelon ki raftaar se 
badhta toofaan bhi
tann ko halka sa chhoo gaya.
Laal aankhon wala 
woh kutta bhi aaj
mujhe dekhkar
dumm hilaane laga.
---------------------------
-Prateek
29/11/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Sab Bazaar Hai

Ye kahaani hai
uss kisaan ki
jiske paas tha
ek anaar ka ped
vishal.
Pattjhad ki har shaam
woh apne khet ki chaukhat per
rakh deta thaa
dus anaar.
Aur chhod jaata tha
ek sandesa
"Ek anaar, Meri taraf se,
aapke liye, muft"

Aate jaate log
anaar dekhte
sandesa padhte
aur muskuraate hue
chale jaate.
Aur kisaan har raat
apni chaukhat per aata
dekhne ke liye
kisi ne ek bhi anaar
nahin uthaaya.

Agli shaam
uss chaukhat per
nahin rakhe kisaan ne
woh dus anaar.
Lekin chhod gaya thaa
ek naya sandesa.
"Yahaan milte hain
duniye ke sabse raseele anaar
jinki keemat jaan-ne ko
hain Raja sa'ab bhi beqaraar"

Aur usi din se
chaukhat per lagi hai bheed
haath mein sone ke sikke liye
anaar khareedne waalon ki.
------------------------------
*Based on a short story by Kahlil Gibran

-Prateek
27/11/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Faasle Badhte Gaye

Itne saalon baad
kuchh ajeeb sa lag raha hai.
Raat ko sone se pehle
tumhaara jo khayal aata thaa
uss ki jagah
ab meeting schedule ne
le lee hai.
Tumhein dekh kar
jo dhadkanein
pal bhar ke liye
ruk jaati theen
woh cheez ab kahin
kho see gayi hai.

Woh jaanti thee.
Mere baalon ko
apni ungliyon se sehlaake
bolti hai,
Kuchh faisle
lene honge.
Thoda faasla
badhaana hoga.
Dena hoga
khud ko samay.
Karaana hoga
ek doosre ko
thoda sa
intezaar.

Har faisle ke saath
faasle badhte gaye.
Aur main
wahin khada raha
tere intezaar mein.
Aaj bhi intezaar
jaari hai.
----------------------
-Prateek
26/11/2011
https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

Chaanta Pada Hai

"Arey!
News dekhi?"
"Kya dekhna yaar.
Wohi roz ki kahaani hogi.
Kashmir mein itne mar gaye.
Ek aur Arab desh ka
takhta palat gaya.
Kisi bilakhti vidhva se
reporter poochh raha hoga
kaisa mehsoos kar rahi hain aap!
Iss se achha hai
chatt per jaakar
taare ginn-ne baith jaaun."

"Arey nahin!
Badi khabar hai.
Ek aam aadmi ne kal
kisi bade neta ko
bhari bheed mein
chaanta maara!
Dude!
Main toh fan ho gaya uska.
Kya sahi kaam kiya usney."

"Fan ho gaye?
Kal jab
court mein le jaate waqt
raste mein hee
goliyon se bhoon diya jaayega woh,
tab kya karoge tum?

Kal jab
beech baazar mein
sabji khareedte waqt
uski behen ka
rape kar diya jaayega,
tab kya karoge tum?

Kal jab
paas ke hee gali mein
school se aate waqt
uske bete ko
agwaah kar liya jaayega,
tab kya karoge tum?

Kal jab
aane waale elections mein
vote karte waqt
tumhein yaad aayega
uss neta ke diye hue vaade
aur saath hee sharaab ki ek botal
jo uske party waalon ne
tumhein dee thee,
tab kya karoge tum?"

Aur gehre sannatte ke beech
uss aam aadmi ka woh fan
kehta hai
"Arey!
News dekhi?
Sachin phir se chook gaya
apne shatak se."
------------------------------
-Prateek
25/11/2011


https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

If There Were No Yesterday

Agar kal na hota....
Toh har woh sar
jo maare zillatt ke
jhuka hua hai,
aaj, aasmaan ki ore
utha hota.
Jo aankhein
maare sharam ke
jhuki hui si
kuchh nam si hain,
aaj, sooraj ko
taak rahin hoti.

Agar kal na hota....
subah uth-te hee
na kisi ki yaad sataati
na kisi ka khauf
dil mein hota.
Na pichhlee raat ke nashe se
sar mein dard hota,
aur na hee hota dard, dil mein
pichhli shaam ki
uss bekaar ki behes ko lekar.

Agar kal na hota....
na saath hoti teri yaari,
na saath hoti bewafaai
uss jhoothe yaar ki.
Na hota kisi ko khone ka darr,
na nibhaani padti kasmein
uss jhoothe pyaar ki.

Agar kal na hota
har din, ek naya din hota.
Aur har din hota
ek naya
main.
--------------------------
-Prateek
24/11/2011


https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

The Sun and The Moon

Har roz
jahaan samandar aur dharti
aapas mein meilte hain.
Jab na din khatm hota hai
na raat shuru hoti hai
uss waqt
insaanon ki nazron se bachte hue
milte hain
sooraj aur chaand
rozaana
aur karte hain kuchh guft-goo
jo aaj bhi
aam aadmi ki samajh se
koson duur parey hai.

"You know what Moon?
Chadhte sooraj ko sab pranaam karte hain.
Dhalte sooraj ko sab nihaarte hain.
Rockstar kehte hain ye mujhe.
Hazaaron khoobsoorat suryamukhi aur kaliyaan
mud mud ke mujhe taakti hain.
Achha lagta hai.
Lekin jab bhi main
apne fans se milne ki koshish ki,
jhulsa deta hoon sab ko.
Jal jaati hain
mujhe nihaarne waali woh aankhein.
Dekh rahe ho tum
kaise bheed mein bhi
akela sa hoon main?"

"Kya baat keh di sir aapne."
Chaand bola
"Aur ek taraf main hoon.
Jalta hoon aapki fan following se.
Uss din toh do insaanon ko
ghar per bhi bulaaya thaa.
Jaane kyun
waapis aaye hee nahin!

Har raat koshish karta hoon
andhiyaare ka sooraj ban-ne ki.
Lekin jitna zyada main chamakta hoon
utni hee inn logon ki parchhaai
kaali pad jaati hai.
Dekha aapne,
Koi kadr hee nahin hai."

"Ah, samay ho gaya.
Jaao chaand.
Ban jao raat ka sooraj.
Chhat per baitha koi aashique
tumhaari raah dekhta hoga.
Tumhaare aaine mein
apni priya ka aks
dhoondne ke liye."
--------------------------------
-Prateek
19/11/2011


https://twitter.com/#!/Scotchaholic

It's A Girl!

Special thanks to Vitasta (@Baavri), for narrating this poem in her super sexy voice.
http://soundcloud.com/baavri/its-a-girl-scotchaholic# 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bambai mahaanagri mein
chaupati ke paas
ek badaa sa bungla hai.
"Yahaan maha-naayak rehte hain."
"The superstars live here."
"Ee hamaar Allahabad wale bhaiyya ka ghar hai."
Samajh nahin aaya
kiska ghar hai.

Khair chhodo.
Iss waqt
uss ghar ke saamne
ek mela sa laga hua hai.
Kam umar ki khoobsurat ladkiyaan
idhar udhar daud rahi hain
haath mein mike liye.
Aur peechhe peeche unke
daud rahe hain kuchh langoor
kandhe per bada sa camera liye.

"Breaking News!"
"It's a girl!"
"Ladki hui hai!"
Itni khushi?
Lagta hai ye sab
uss ladki ke rishtedaar hain.
Bada parivaar lagta hai.

Arey haan
Baaton baaton mein
poochhna hee bhool gaya.
Toh iss maheene Haryana mein
kul kitne bhroon-hatya ke case aaye?
Do sau baarah?
Ladkiyaan thee sab?
Achha.
------------------------------
-Prateek
17/11/2011

Inquiry Hogi

Baaju waale flat mein
rehta hai ek chhota sa parivaar
kisi Raajput police waale ka.
Jis ghar mein hamesha
rehti thee chahal pahal
aaj kuchh zyada hee khaamosh hai.

Hua yunh
ki thaane jaate waqt
uss policewaale ki bike se
koi takraa jaata hai.
Bechaare per
laaparwaahi ka ilzaam
lag jaata hai.

Commisioner
akad kar uss-se kehta hai
"Kya isiliye sarkaar tumhein bike deti hai?
Poore police department ki naak katwa di."
Aur chheen liye uss se
uske saare medal.
"Inquiry hogi.
Committee bithai jaaegi.
Tab tak ke liye
tumhein chhutti dee jaati hai."
    -----------------

Gali ke aakhri end per
rehta hai ek badaa sa parivaar
ek dalit neta ka.
Jis ghar mein hamesha
rehti thee netaaon ki chahal pahal
aaj media ke bhediyon se ghira hai.

Hua yunh
ki ward ki sadak banaane ke liye
jo dus laakh neta ko diye
usmein se aath laakh
hazam kar jaata hai
desh ka woh chor.
Saale per
chori ka ilzaam
lag jaata hai.

Neta
akad kar commissioner se kehta hai
"Kya isisliye sarkaar ne tumhein wardi dee hai?
Mujhe baahar nikaalo iss jhanjhat se."
Aur thamadiye uske haath mein
noton ki ek gaddi.
"Inquiry karaao.
Committee bithaao.
Lekin mujhe iss jhamele se bachaao.
Warna agle din se hee
tumhaari chhutti."
-------------------------------------
-Prateek
16/11/2011 

Khud Ko Bhula Baithe

Teri andheri zulfon ki chamak mein
hum khud ka sooraj 
bhula baithe. 
Ab in neeli aankhon ki gehraaiyon mein
zara doob jaane do.


Tere hothon ka rass peekar
hum apna jaam
bhula baithe.
Ab in neeli aankhon ke nashe mein
zara behek jaane do. 
----------------------------
-Prateek
15/11/2011

Bachpanaa (बचपना)

Uss din hua kuchh yun

office se ghar ko jaate hue

koi riksha na mila.

"Sahab.

Aage school chhoota hai.

Koi function thaa aaj.

Road per jaam hai."

"Kambakhath bachche!"

Aur budbudaate hue

pakad lee maine

sadak per raftaar.

Saamne dekhta hoon

sadak per

bachchon ka ek mela sa laga hai.

Koi Ram, koi Aishwarya

toh koi neta bana hai.

"Fancy dress competition."

Arey inke maa baap kahaan hai?

Sambhaal nahin sakte

inn oot baagad-billon ko!?

Aur itne mein hee

ek nanhi si bachchi 

mujhse takraai.

"Arey! Paagal ho kya!"

"Shorry unkle."

Woh masoom si aawaaz

kaafi kuchh keh gayi.

Uski woh badi badi aankhein

kaafi kuchh dikhaa gayin.

Dil maano jaise mome sa ho gaya.

Yakeen nahin hota.

Aaj bhi koi kaise 

itna maasoom ho sakta hai?

Na mann mein koi chhal

na kisi ke liye koi dvesh.

Kab tak aise reh paayenge?

Shayad isiliye 

isko bachpana kehte hain.

Aaj ki duniya mein

phir se masoomiyatt ki baat karenge

toh bachpana hee toh keh laayega.

-------------------------------------

-Prateek

14/11/2011

Kharonchein (खरोंचें)

Sayaane naqaabon ki 

iss bheed mein

khud ka chehra bhi

anjaana sa lagta hai.

Noch noch ke 

naqaab nikaalne ki chaah mein

chehre per aa gayin

kai kharonchein.

Aur chhod gaya waqt 

chehre pe apne nishaan.

Ye muskuraahat meri na sahi

udhaar kee hai.

Per in kharonchon mein chhupi kahaani

meri hee hai.

-----------------------------------------

-Prateek

13/11/2011

Aaj Chaand Dekha?

Bachpan mein kai baar suna hoga, naani ya daadi ke munh se, unki kahaaniyon mein, ki duur se chaand dekho, toh ek khargosh dikhega. Ya ek budhiya dikehgi jo charka chalaa rahi hai. Aaj ki poem ne naani daadi ke unhi kisse kahaaniyon se kuchh elements udhaar liye hain.
-------------------------------------------------

Aaj chaand dekha?
Haan.
Kya dikha?
Budhiya charkha kaat rahi hai.
Aur?
Aur koshish kar rahi hai
rishton ke toote dhaagon ko jodne ki.
Shayad unmein se ek dhaaga
uske uss ladke ka hai
jo pardes chala gaya
na kabhi waapis aane ke liye.
Aur yahaan yeh budhiya
har gaanth ke saath
uske waapis aane kee aas
kho deti hai.


Aaj chaand dekha?
Haan.
Kya dikha?
Khargosh.
Aur?
Aur uski muskuraahat.
Kuchh ajeeb see hai lekin aaj.
Woh masoomiyatt gayab see lagti hai.
Shayad ooper se insaanon ki harkatein
kuchh zyada hee der tak
dekh lee hai isney.
Aur har harkat ke saath
kho deta hai woh
apni pyaari muskaan.

Aaj chaand dekha?
Haan.
Kya dikha?
Utna safed nahin hai.
Aur?
Kuchh peela sa pada hai chaand.
Beemaar lagta hai.
Raat ka sooraj bann-ne ki chaah mein
lagta hai
thakk gaya hai bechaara.
Competition bahut hai duniya mein.
Aur har imtihaan ke saath
kho deta hai woh
safed chandni ka saath.

Aaj chaand dekha?
---------------------------------------
-Prateek
12/11/2011

Clay and the Sun

Geeli chikni mitti
lekar apne saath
kai mausam kee barsaat
kuchh mayoos si hai.
"Kab de paoongi main
bachchon ke in khilaunon ko
babuji ki chai ke kulhadd ko
Neema bitiya ki kamar se
lage hue matkey ko aakar?
Kab?"

Mayoos mitti ki udaasi
shayad sooraj dekh raha thaa.
Thoda muskura ke
apna prachand roop dhaaran karke
sokh leta hai
saari narmi
uss geeli mitti se.
"Ab yeh bhi aaram se sahegi
iss duniya ke saare zulm."

Bachche ke haath mein khilauna bankar
aa gayi hai mitti ko ab akad.
Kho dee hai saari narmi
kho dee hai woh maasoomiyatt.
"Maine aisa toh nahin banaana chaaha tha isey..."
sooraj ne socha.

Tabhi hawaa hanske boli
"Dekh sooraj
kaisi utaarti hoom main iski akad"
Aur aisi tez aandhi aayi
chhoot gayi bachche ki
khilaune pe pakad.

Sooraj aur hawaa
dono hee hans rahe hain
zameen per pade unn tukdon per
jo kabhi lekar chalti thee apne saath
kai mausam ki barsaat.
----------------------------------------
-Prateek
11/11/2011

Bhookh (भूख)

"Mom!
I'm hungry!"
"I don't have anything in the car
but this apple.
Here, have it."
"Apple!?"
Munh banaate hue bachche ne kaha.
"I want a burger mommy!"
"Eat this first.
Momma will get you a burger,
later."
Aur bachche ne iss beech
phenk diya "apple"
chalti car ki khidki se.
"Who the hell wants to eat apples?"

"Ma.
Bhookh lagi hai."
"Aaj jhopdi mein kuchh bhi nahin hai
siwaay kal ki iss baajre ki roti ke.
Yeh le, kha le."
"Baajre ki roti?!"
Mayoos si soorat banaate hue bachche ne kaha.
"Mujhe seb khaana hai ma."
"Pehle ye kha beta.
Ye khaayega, toh bada hoyega.
Bada hoyega, toh khoob saare seb khareedega.
Aur mujhe bhi khilaayega.
Khilaayega na mera laadla?"
Aur bachche ne
baasi roti ka ek tukda khaate hue
apna sir hilaaya.
"Apni kismet mein seb kab aayenge?"
-----------------------------------------------
-Prateek
8/11/2011

The Scientist

Har subah
naye sooraj ki pehli kiran
kisi na kisi tarah
khoj hee nikaalti thee
uskey ghar ka raasta.
Phir chaahe neend
raasta hee kyun na bhatak jaaye
ya ho jaaye ojhal
uski bojhil
lekin khoobsurat aankhon se.

"Dhoond hee liya na raasta,
mujhe phir se kamzor karne ke liye?"

Lekin
aaj kuchh alag sa lagta hai.
Aaj iss nayi roshni mein lagta hai
shayad, mil hee jayega
ek naya ilaaj
unn logon ke dil ka
jo sirf jeete hain
dhokha khaane ke liye.
---------------------------------
-Prateek
7/11/2011


Loosely based on lyrics by Brandon Wronski, for Dead Letter Diaries

Safar (सफ़र)

Unhe lagta hai 
banjaara dil hai mera. 
Ramta jogi besahaara.
Kahin rukta nahin. 
Kisi ka ho sakta nahin. 


Kabhi haath pakadkar
kheencha hai apni taraf?
Kee hai rokne ki koshish?
Kabhi poochha
akelapann tumhein kaat-ta toh nahin?


Woh kya jaanein
ek "matt jao" sunn-ne ko 
beqaraar hai dil.
Tab tak
safar jaari hai.
-------------------------------------
-Prateek
5/11/2010

Bojh (बोझ)

*tring tring*
*tring tring*
"Hello."
"Heya! Hi Priya!"
"Hmmm. Bolo."

Dono ko pata thaa
koi faayda nahin.
Paanch saal ho chuke hain iss rishtey ko.
Pichhle do saalon se
rishta jiya kam
dhoya (ढोया) jyada hai.

Aisa nahin thaa
ki koi ladaai hui thee.
Bus pyaar kahaan kho gaya
dono hee iss se anjaan hain.
Ek doosre ko ghanton nihaarne waale
aaj ek doosre se pareshaan hain.

"Koi faayda nahin.
Iss bojh se toh achha hai
khatm hee kyun na kardein?"
Roz dono sochte hain.
"Aaj toh decision lena hee hoga."

"Par usko kaaran kya bataaunga?"
"Par usko kaaran kya bataaungi?"
Aur ek din aur
tayyar hote hain dono
iss adhmare rishtey ka bojh dhone.
----------------------------------
-Prateek
4/11/2010

The Angels Are Falling

Uss raat
har raat ki tarah
chhatt pe tehelte hue
dekh raha hoon
anginatt taaron ki khoobsurat mehfil ko.

Achha lagta hai
taaron ka woh sangeet sunn-na
jise duniya ne kahin bhula sa diya hai.
Har toot-ta taara
jaise koi alag hee taan le raha hai.

Aur unn toot-te taaron ke beech
kahin se koi pari aa giri.
Uske safed kapde, safed nahin.
Uske pankho mein koi aisi jagah nahin
jahaan koi chhed nahin.
Behaal si, machhli ki tarah tadapti si
woh ektak mujhe ghoorti hai.
Aur aankh bandd karke kehti hai
"Yeh duniya kam thee kya,
jo wahaan par bhi tumne apne lutere bhej diye?"
-------------------------------
-Prateek
3/11/2011

Izzhaar

Uss din
kuchh jyada hee garmi lag rahi thee.
Samandar ki reth bhi
zoron se bhabhak rahi thee.
Sardi ke mausam mein bhi
maathe pe paseena thaa.
Shayad kyunki tumse aaj
dil ki jo baat kehni thee.

Saamne tum khadi thee.
Kaanon mein mujhe
mere dil ki aawaaz
sunaai de rahi thee.
Samandar ki kal kal bhi
iss sannate ko cheer nahin paayi.
Badi mushkil se aaj
izzhaar karne ki himmatt jutaai.

"Aaj mausam achha hai na?"
Ghar pe sab theek?
Coffee peene chalogi?"

Shayad, aaj sahi din nahin hai.
------------------------------------
-Prateek
2/11/2011

A Lot Happens Over Coffee

Milee thee woh
akeli
coffee ke badey se cup ke saath.
Jagah dhoond rahi thee
baithne ke liye
ek bekaar coffee ki mehengi dukaan mein.

Uljhe hue
anginatt naqaabon ke beech
suljha hua uska chehra
kuchh asli sa dikhaai deta thaa.

Main bhi waheen thaa
akela
coffee ke badey se cup ke saath
Saathi dhoond raha thaa
apne paas bithaane ke liye
uss bekaar coffee ki mehengi dukaan mein.

Jaan padta hai
sirf main akela nahin thaa.
Aur bhi akele hain iss bheed mein
Dhoond rahe hain koi saathi
apna akelapann bantne ke liye.

"Excuse me.
Kya aapke saath koi baitha hai?"
Aur wahin se shuru hoti hai
ek nayi kahaani
uss bekaar coffee ki mehengi dukaan mein.

---------------------------------------------
-Prateek
1/11/2011