A Dream Conversation

Tonight

My 3rd dream

Will meet your 4th (you sleep earlier than me)

Over cups of cloud

They will chat about

Their hopes and dreams

Then they will move on

To the reality of our lives

As the night fades into a new dawn

A rough translation in Urdu follows...

Aaj Raat

Mera Teesra Khaab

Milega Tumhaare Chauthe Se

Baadalon Ki Pyaliyon Ke Saath

Baatein Hongein Hamaari
Ummeedon Ki Aur Khaabon Ki

Phir Haqueeqat Ka Saamna Hoga

Jab Raat Subah Ki Taraf Jaane Lagegi

Nanhi Si Jaan

Sometimes, you wake up in the night with something in your head.

Nanhi Si Jaan

Ek Baar Jab Neend Na Aayi
Jaa Pahucha Taaron Se Milne
Balcony Mein Hava Sard Thi
Traffic Ki Awaaz Bhi Nahin Thi

Saamne Lamppost Ke Neeche
Khadi Thi Ek Nanhi Si Jaan,
Thand Me Thartharati
Zindagi Se Haar Maanti

Maine Awaaz Dekar Kaha
‘Aao Oopar Ghar Mein
Baahar Ki Thand Mein
Bimaar Padne Ka Dar Hai’

Halke Paanv Oopar Aayi Woh
Thand Se Safed Hua Chehra Liye
Sehemte hue Baithi Arm-chair Pe
Maine Chai Aur Chaadar Badhaai

Chehre Ki Laali Thodi Waapas Aayi
Toh Maine Poocha, ‘Kaun Ho Tum, Kahanse Aayi?’
Ussne Kaha, ‘Main Is Raat Ki Beti Hoon,
Zara Raasta Bhool Gayein Hoon’

Waqt Guzra Aur Chidyon Ne Kaha
Ke Seher Hone Hi Waali Hai
Woh Uthke Badhi Darwaaze Ki Or
Maine Poocha, ‘Phir Kab Milogi?’

Boli, 'Shaayad...Jab Tumhein Neend Na Aaye Agli Baar’

Roothi Raat

The following piece is dedicated to a good friend. For us, the night is always like a lovely bride, who we decorate with conversations, music, spirits and food, when we meet. On one occasion, recently, we couldn't, despite making all the plans to do so. And then, these words came.

Roothi Raat
Ek Roothi Aur Bezaar Raat
Dulhan Bante Bante Reh Gayee
Na Gehne Aaye, Na Sajaanewala
Aur Na Hi Band Baaja

Akele Sone Ki Koshish Mein
Lagi Rahi Woh Saari Raat
Aaj Chand Bhi Saath Na Tha
Taare Toh Door Ki Baat

Bas Ab Subah Ka Intezaar Tha
Ke Chamakti Roshni Aaye
Aur Apni Aaghosh Mein Lekar
Khatm Kare Yeh Aazmaayish

Subah Ke Intezaar Mein
Dulhan Ban-ne Ke Khwaab Mein
Aakhir Aankh Lag Hi Gayi Us Raat Ki
Kaun Jaane Agli Raat Ka Kya Hoga?

I apologize to my non Hindi / Urdu readers for not putting up a translation of the lines in English (as I usually do). I tried but I'm unable to do justice (as of now). Perhaps I shall be succesful later.