A POET IN ME

By
Shahid Riaz

This Poetry is Dedicated to “A Friend” – Who Was

Instrumental in Discovering A Poet In Me
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Sawaal
kion batoon keh mairi umer tyaveel ho gee, ya dor-e-salasal
sach to ye hay keh deevar kay kay uss paar ka socha he nahin

Apni dunia main to rahey mast sada, mager manand-e-ajnabi

khud ko pukartey be rahey, aur kabhi murr kay daikha he nahi

maira hosla na barhao yaroo, mairy raston ki koi simat nahi

jab her taraf he ho veerainian , to manzalon ki koi fikar nahi

ab to kai sadion say ye aalim hay mairi soch aur tanhai ka

dar na jaoon sotey main kahin, iss khauf say soyia be nahi

kehnay ko to bara kuch hay, mager mairi anna ka hay ye kehna

zad-e-rah man ik saleeb ho bas, aur ye keh kisi ko batana be nahi

khudi ka takaza hay keh man bas itna he kahoon yaaro

paya jo naheen yahan main nay, woh khoya be naheen
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Khud Farabi
kion rakhtay hain log sadda maazi ki yadon ko itna aziz
raaz khul to gia, mager apna kal kho dainey kay baad

Lotna to her haal main hay, her ik leher ko beher main wapis
sochata hoon garonday pehlay banoon, ya naqsh-e-paa kay baad

gar chaho zindagi kay tasalsal ko jo rakhna phir say jaari-o-saari

bhool jao kay guzari shaam milay ge kabhi aaj ki sham kay baad

jee ye to teh hay, kay guzray hoye lamhaat kabhi lota nahi kertay
phir be ik sahara hay khud faraibi ka mujhay ,her shakast kay baad

mairi fitrat main arsay say daal rakha hay ik hirs nay basaira
dhoondta hoon ab main motti, seep ko maar dainey kay baad

charagh-e-sehri ki lo to khatam honay ko hay he, mager hamdam

jo jal chukay, wo perwanay zinda hotay nahi dia bujhnay kay baad

kuch maang kay daikh laitey hain ham batil say be aaj ik baar
shyed keh mit jye judaion ki reekha, haath katwa dainey kay baad

her khoi hoi anmoal cheez ka badal to kabhi hotta nahi uss jaisa
phir be mansoor ko mila tha khuda, ana-al-haq kahnay keh baad
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Iqrar-e-Jurm
takaaza nahi ye fitrat ka, bas mairi soch he ki majboori hay
har jata hoon main jeeti hoi baazi, taskeen-e-qalab ki khatir

kamal uss ka na tha, sabh bandh-hay thay uss soch kay sath
keh raqs-e-bismal he sahi, kartey hain gawara uss ki khatir

uss ki tarha, uski khushion ka be ik ajab he sa raha andaaz

faqat jan mangata tha wo, chand qatrey aab-e-hayat ki khatir

usski basti main to ab koi nazar uthaney wala hay he nahi

noch leen sab ankhain uss nay, sirf ik chashm-e-bad ki khatir

aur ab faqat wo hay, ik ayina aur chand thehray hoye lamhay

jee raha hay wo tanha, keh koi to aye ga, roo namai ki khatir

main be sochata hoon keh, chore doon uskay dar ki chokhat

kaash hota mumkin, chorna hamzaad ko, apni zaat ki khatir
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Ehtasab
rawaan hay qafla-e-qainaat, zindagi ka safar jari hay
sisak rahi hain sab qadrain, aur raqs-e-ablees jari hay

main be thehra rahzan, mager matloob nahi mal-o-zar

talab kuch aur hay yaroo, mager qehat-e-rajaal jari hay

na to ranjeeda hay khaliq, na he lota hay khizar wapis

unn ko maaloom hay shyed, maqafaat ka amal jari hay

mazi-o-hal, aur taqreer-o-tahreer par na karo maan itna

ye be socho keh kia soch-o-fikar ka amal ab be jari hay

daawah karo aqal-o-feham ka, na maan koi shakal par

ye rehmat hay, jo manind-e-roz-o-shab, ab talak jari hay

jismon main sakat nahi, aur hawas hay keh bay qaboo
gada-gar ko hay bari jaldi, khairat-e-saphal to abi jari hay

azal-o-abad, taqdeer-o-amal aur roz-e-hasher apni jagha

mager zindagi ye to nahi bas, keh sanson ka silsila jari hay

maqadar aur takhleeq main, ik ye be hota hay bara farq

ik likha ja chuka hay mukamal, aur doja hanooz jari hay

ye wo insaan hay, jisko sajada kia makhlooq-e-khuda nay

bhool gia wo apni hasiat, aur girney ka amal ab be jari hay

qari ka to maloom nahi, mager khud ko daita hoon tasali

qartas-e-abiad he sahi, mager apni islah ka amal jari hay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Aiy Mairey Chanda

doorian to taveel hain, par too kabi intazaar to kar
aana jana to rahey ga he taira, kabhi qayam to kar

chalo ham to ik sehraa hain, paiker-e-sabar-o-wafa

tu kabi lehar ki tarap, or mad-o-jazar ka khial to kar

dastaras main to nahi hay rokna waqat ko, phir be

ikbar he sahi, tu mairey sath mil kay koi dua to kar

tu nikalta hay to daikhtay hain sab loag jalwa taira

to mairi chasham say kabhi, apna dedar be to kar

karwaan to rawaan he hain, taaron ki chaoon taley

bay wafa, kabhi ik bar, tu be kisi say wafaa to kar

taqaza hay bar bar, keh kion main nahi pojta tuj ko
piar bara hay, ya ibadat, khud say zara israr to kar

ab sahar ki amad hay, or taira sehar totnay ko hay

dhobna taira be maqadar hay, ye be socha to kar
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Soch Ki Ghulami
azaadi ka mafhoom to shyed bhool chuka hoon main be
issi qafas ko samaj loonga main apna nashaiman ab be

ik parwaz he to hotti hay faqat azaad nafas ki pehchan

pashemani to hay he, sath rahey ge qurbat-e-sayaad be

kuch aur na hua to urr jaonga main abbad ki tarf yaaroo

ho safar main shyed , shauq-o-takhial ki parwaaz ab be

perwaaz kay liay muwafaq to ab hain sab halaat magar

soch hay keh attaki hoi hay, zanjeer-e-qafas say ab be

maan to kabhi na tha, iss taqdeer-o-tadbeer par phir be

himat kar kay daikhta hoon, dosti to hay fitrat say ab be

jo na lota to samajana na keh mil gai hay mujh ko manzil

kai safar jari hain azal say aur raston ka pata nahi ab be

alwida alwida alwida, aye yaran-e-qafas, alwida alwida

rotay ho tum mairi judai ko , ya hay ye yad ghar ki ab be

iss mazlom-o-majroh ka ye be bara andaaz hay ajab sa

qafala kooch ko hay, baitha hay ye liay hijr ki rahat ab be
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Ashk-e-Rawaan
hijar maqsood ho ga tuj ko be teh-e-dil say yaqeenan
warna to her pather ko be ho kar moam rona aata hay

dil say to tairey khon-e-armaan ka jaari hay ik dariaa

ashak jab koi bacha ho aankh main, to rona aata hay

dil ki baazi main jeet ka matlab he hay haar sada say

kabi jhank kay andr daikho to sahi, phir rona aata hay

ye krishama-e-gham hay, ya asool-e-chahat ka paas

jawab itna hay ajab sa iss ka, keh bas rona aata hay

uss tifal pay to sayia hay maan ki duaoon ka her waqt

han raziq ki bay niazi ka socho to buhat rona aata hay

zabat aur sabar khazana hay, paghmabari-o-faqiri ka

jo pa chuky sab kuch dunia main, unpay rona aata hay

uss sangdil nay tarash to dala hay ab sanam ko apnay

aur jab dil wahan na dharka to uss ko be rona aata hay

zindagi aur moat kay beech, hyle hay ik lamha safar ka

han jo chin jye ge gunah ki lazat, uss pay rona aata hay

tu apnay wajood-e-anmole pay hay kion itna ranjeeda

bas tairi soch ka sochata hoon to bohat rona aata hay

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[ dooba hon main iss soch main, keh ye raaz to khula nahi ]
[ tujhay "aata he nahi hay rona", ya keh "rona nahee aata" ]

[ tairi zidd hay buhat to maan laita hon, tairi he khatir dost ]
[ tu chupa ansoo ab, keh main kahon tujay rona nahi aata ]
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Zameen aur Zuhra

dil jala hoon main yaaro, jo sab kuch bata daitey hain
shyer nahi waisa , jo rai ka be pahar bana daitey hain

zamanay ki iss dager par baja hay taira iztarab mager

log to wo hain jo bat suntay hain, aur bhula daitey hain

pabandi-e-izhar aur qalam ki azadi to hay door ki bat

ye to wo hain, jo saoch par be pehra bitha daitey hain

bay khaber hain danista, mantey nahi haqeqat ko kabi

Moosa ko toor baij ker, but ko khuda bana daitey hain

ker guzertay hain wo sab , aata hay jo be dil main inkay

khuda man kar ye pehlay, phir sooli charha daitey hain

mantey be hain, keh wo ameen-o-sadiq hay sada say

phir kaaba jakar uss main her tarf but saja daitey hain

inki wafa-o-muhabbat ka ye paimana tum be daikho

ye laash kay saath ik zinda insaan be jala daitey hain

ye hiss-e-jamalati nahi, hawas hay sochoon pay taari

nelaam-e-izat ko muqabla-e-husn ka nam daitey hain

parh na lay kaheen, ankhoon main bassi shehwat koi

lagga kar chashma ye, apni bhook mitta daitey hain

un ko mil jye jo ik pal kay liay chaman ki hifazat ka zima

phool tor laitey hain sarey wo, aur shajar jala daitey hain

raziq nahi hain wo iss dunia kay mager phir be daikho

cheen laitey hain luqma, or zamzam ko mita daitey hain

han zinda dargore to nahi kartey ye ab binat-e-huwa ko

martey hain pehlay anna ko, phir zinda jala daitey hain

khud he mulzim hain, bantey hain adalat aur munsaf be

pehli paishi main he mujram ko azadi ki nava daitey hain
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

aari hain ye her soch say, aur ihsas-e-murawat be nahi

sadqa-o-khairat ko be mal-e-ghanimat bana daitey hain

lataka to rakhi hay ik zanjeer-e-adal dar kay bahir laikin

her baar sawali ko ye deevaar main chunwa daitey hain

nahi mumkin keh hawas-o-hirs main ho ga koi in ka sani

wo be hain jo zindagi he main mazaar banwa daitey hain

baz ko fikar to hay hashr ki, mager phir be daikho to sahi

sochatey hain kissi tarah, loh-e-mehfooz mita daitey hain

mehfal-e-soze be ho, to hotta nahi dil kabhi in ka ranjeeda

dhoka daitey hain ashk bari ka, chehra chupa daitey hain

chaltey hain, akartay hain, rakhtay hain sir par saja kar taj
takht ki bulandi kay liay lashon kay minar bana daitey hain

yaad aata hay in ko be khuda zindagi main ik aadh baar

mullan bulatey hain aur shan say milad kerwa daitey hain

in kay qaul-o-fail kay tazaad ka bas kia karon ziker yahan

ye wo qazi hain jo her bar jhoot ko sach bana daitey hain

in ko maloom nahi keh insaan ki kia hay azmat-o-mairaaj

sawar daikhtay nahi or sawari pay raqam laga daitey hain

Zohra ki aab-o-taab ka ik apna hay makhsoos sa andaaz

musawar ki khata hay keh log sath chand bana daitey hain

taira andaz-e-khudi aur ihsas-e-fitrat rahay la-saani-o-fani

hay to ye dua phir be, sooraj ko charagh dikha daitey hain

ik alfaz ka khazeena hay, uss say kahaey ja raha hoon ab

lafaz nahi buray, kabhi andaz-e-bian be tarpa daitey hain

mughanni ka ye kehna hay keh sab geet hotay hain amar

ye to saaz aur awaz hain jo kuch ko bura bana daitey hain
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Bojh
dunia main lagi hay ronaq har dam, aur aana jana jaari hay
ruktay to hain sab pal do pal ko lakin, loot khasoot jaari hay

muazzan ko fiker hay leh ki, mullan sunta nahi rawaani main
manbar par to hay bheer laggi, masjad ka sannata jaari hay

zahid sab laity turbat main, aur matwali ginay hain nazraney
mushrik karain ab qabron ko sajda, aur faiz-e-alim jaari hay

sab fuqraa ki ayyaari hay, aur peer nawazy jyen hain baitey
sarey mango ab sab kuch mango, taveez ka jadoo jaari hay

koran sajey haiy ab taakon main, tasbhi to kab ki toot chuki

maan hay siraf aqeeday ka, aur insanoon ki pooja jaari hay

meh khanay main ik ronak hay, aur nahi fikkar anjaamon ki

ik doojay kay hain sab mehram , aur peena pilana jaari hay

jo sochay hay wo bolay ga na, jo bolay hay wo rokay ga na

aansoo na baha hamdam tu be, fitrat ka kaam to jaari hay

yaad karo un qaumon ko, jinhay maan tha zore-o-taqat par

mit chukay sab matti main, aur azaab-e-musalsal jaari hay

haan ab chore be day rona dhona, tu be thehra ik mushrik

maang raha nahi tu rab say kuch, bas noha hay jo jaari hay

akhri saf barney ko hay ab, chal mil kar kartey hain ye dua
daina hay to dil bhar kar day, warna ah-o-baqa to jaari hay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Ik Shakhs
wo apni sadgi main sab kuch bata daita hay
hansata hay itna, keh bas rulla he daita hay

daur-e-faraib main be hay wo itna masoom

chupana ho jo mumkin, wo be bata daita hay

pocho gar kabhi surkhi-e-chashm ka majra

muskurata hay itna keh bas hansa daita hay

koi gham kabhi uss pay hota nahi hay havi

chup rehta hay khud , sab ko rula daita hay

qaid-e-tanhai main rehata hay mehv-e-raqs

azadi kay din ko to aksar he bhula daita hay

qisa-e-pareena sunata hay iss rawaani say

aghaaz say pehlay , anjaam bata daita hay

uss ka sakoon daikho to rashq sa aata hay

jisam to kia, wo rooh tak ko bhula daita hay

uss ki aankhon main ik ajab he kashish hay

ik nazar dal kar wo, sab raaz bata daita hay

kabhi hota nahi mehdood, wajood kay andr

wo apna aap, chaar itraaf phaila daita hay

main aksar sochta hoon uski kia hay shaan

bikta nahi wo, sab ko ghulam bana daita hay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Chaand Chehra
kal shab jab ik pari chehra daikha
zindagi ko barey qarib say daikha

sirka to tha anchal aik pal kay liay

par jo be daikha, baymisal daikha

peshani pay chaii the ik chandani

ankhon dooba chaand be daikha

palkain jhuk gayen theen pal main

jaisey wo shaam ka dhalna daikha

uss nay jab daikha nazar uthaa kay

ik aansoo ka toot-tay sitara daikha

chehra khila tha gulaab ki manind

shabnam ko uss pay girtay daikha

rangat the sundar sandal ki tarah

miltay uss main shafaq ko daikha

lag na jaati nazar ranaai-e-gull ko

gaal kay wast main saja til daikha

zulf jab lehrai, kha kay kham zara

bantay ik chah-e-rukhsaar daikha

pankhari say tarasheeda thay lab

haan unhay buhat lab-raiz daikha

daant motti say, sajey qitaar andar

sitaron ki tarah unka chupna daikha

kaanptay lab hilay jo zara ik pal ko

ik siski ka dam be ghut-tay daikha

daikhna tha asman kay chaand ko

par jo daikha, pehloo main daikha
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

jab doob gia chaand anchal andar

tab dil phir say dharakata daikha

jo be daikha bas ik pal ko daikha

hay na-mumkin batana kia daikha
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Waada Raha
tiara sochna aur poocna nahi tha munasib
day kar sab jawaab khud ko tarpa loonga

chah, chahat say hotti nahi hay mashroot

saz-e-dil jo suna to dharkan chura loonga

ansunni ko ankahi he rehnay do hamdam

warna anwaan ko mazmoon bana loonga

khoon-o-ashk ki rawaani rahain jari-o-sari

gar tapka to piar ka paimana bana loonga

ho na jye kaheen iss amanat main khianat

iss khauf-o-dar say sab kuch lotaa doonga

paas ayia to phir wapsi na ho gee mumkin

tujay main apni soch ka hisa bana loonga

tairey fariaib hain sadaa say itnay dil pazir

rasm-e-dunia ko ehad-e-wafa bana loonga

kitab-e-dil to hay saheefa-e-piaar-o-wafaa

her waraq par mohr-e-sachai laga doonga

tujhay bholna to hay nahi mairey bas main

mumkin ye hay keh apna aap bula doonga

koi poochay to, sab kuch he bata doonga

gar na bola tab, to khud he ko jala loonga
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Daikho To Sahi
rukko to sahi,
daikho to sahi,
bikhray hain nazarey, tairey he liay
sajatay hain saitarey, tairey he liay

aao to sahi,
baitho to sahi,
basa hay jahaan, tairey he liay
mehfal hay jawan, tairey he liay

socho to sahi,
bolo to sahi,
sab hain hairaan, tairey he liay
ruk gia samaan, tairey he liay

din he sahi,
raat he sahi,
waqat hay maira, tairey he liay
main be sadaa, tairey he liay

sach he sahi,
kuch be sahi,
zindagi be hay, tairey he liay
marna be yahan, tairey he liay

aana he sahi,
jana he sahi,
hay ye wafaa, tairey he liay
hay ye jafaa, tairey he liay

thehro to sahi,
lauto to sahi,
dunia hay mairi, tairey he liay
rooh be sadaa, tairey he liay

ghazal he sahi,
nazam he sahi,
sab geet hain, tairey he liay
raqs main jahan, tairey he liay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Zulf-e-Gira Geer
zulf jab lehra gai
joban bahar ho gai

zulf ka khulana tha

rutt bayqarar ho gai

zulf ka bikharna tha

din ko sham ho gai

zulf main maala saji

mehak raazdar ho gai

zulf ko jo choo lia

zulf taab-daar ho gai

zulf ka sodda hua

zulf dildaar ho gai

zulf ki ghulami jo ki
zulf paich-dar ho gai

zulf jab samait lee

raat shabab ho gai

zulf jo pur-nam hooi

lehar bayqarar ho gai

iss zulf ki rasaai main

ghazal tamam ho gai
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Raqaasa
aik jamood hay pinhaan uss toofan kay andar
jaisay qaid ho koi bagola, gardaab kay andar

raqs aisa keh jaisey lehra jye koi shakh-e-gull

hay magar gehri khaar ki tees jigar kay andar

taab aisi keh ho jye hay mehfal baytaab bohat

par havi hay naseeb ki zulmat munn kay andar

payal ki jhankaar say mehfil to rahay jawaan

sannata hay chya wajood-e-raqaas kay andar

hay deeda bohat char soo chahat-e-aghoash

par basata nahin koi ussey apnay dil kay andar

uski ankhon main hay kuch lau ki ramaq baqi

jal raha hay sirf khoon-e-jiggar diay kay andar

jism to ruk he jye ga amad-e-sahar kay saath

par rooh ka iztarab to rahay ga uss kay andar

naach aiy raqaasa, azal say abbad tak naach

shyed aisa he likha hay tairi taqdeer kay andar
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Cat-Walk
tazleel-e-niswaan ko nia he naam dia hay
ab ik biddat ko jiddat ka muqaam dia hay

atta jis ko kia kahliq nay muqam-e-zeenat

uss ko he ab nilaam barsar-e-aam kia hay

maqsad to batya hay pehnavay ki namood

par uriaan yahaan siraf jisamon ko kia hay

lehraa kay, bhal kha kay, phir muskura kay

khillat-e-haiya ko kaisey bay hijaab kia hay

parchaat nakafi hain sarsarahat ko yahaan

manzar main moseeqi ka ihtamam kia hay

roshan qum qumay, aur lapkay hain bijliaan

her andaz ko tasveer main mehfooz kia hay

kassar na reh jye koi fun-e-paisha gari main

chun chun kay naginoan ka intakhab kia hay

ankhon ki haiya to ab thehri nayaab yahaan

dil khoal kay peech-o-kham ka izhar kia hay

daad to hay bohat ehbab-e-mehfal ki magar

kia kisi ko libas-e-malboos ka ihsas hua hay

makhsoos tha jo dhanpanay ko baddan kay

ussi boaj he say to uriaani ka izhaar kia hay

tarash-e-poshaak to bahana hay kahnay ko

tazkara to sirf husan-o-andaz he ka hua hay

baykhud hain kaisey sab ehbabab to daikho

jaisey nazaron ko jisam kay aar paar kia hay

hay gar ye izhaar-e- azadi-e-niswaan to kia

kisi nay behan aur baiti ko andia be dia hay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

yakjaa hain ab bint-e-hawa aur ibn-e-adam

ye kaam dono nay bohat mil jul kay kia hay

kis ko day rahey hain ham ab fariab yahaan

kia kissi nay khud say be ye sawaal kia hay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Tanha
sochta hoon koi mairi be to kahani likhay
mairi unkahi ko wo apni he zubani likhay

haraf aye na kissi ki shaan aur naam par

iss qiaas say wo mujhay gumnaam likhay

faseel tha jo shehar-e-panah ki her simat

na hua naseeb usay sya-e-devaar, likhay

her rah-e-khaarzaar main jo tha rahnuma

wo khud raha aabla pa sadda ko, likhay

wo jo rehta tha ban kay jaan her mehfal ki

raha khud wo bara tanha andar say, likhay

pilata tha jam sab ko sharab-e-tahoor kay

khud sadda he raha wo tashna lab, likhay

bin mangay jo daita raha khushian sab ko

wo hua kion aisey barbaad, ye be to likhay

ye be likhay keh mar gia wo chupkay say

kaha faqat, naam koi kutbay pay na likhay
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“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Naara-e-Mastana
bay zubaan jab hay ye dil to, izhaar main inkasaar kaisa
hamdam gar ho hamsafar to, faaslon ka shumaar kaisa

qurbat ho jab mehboob ki to, bahaar ka intazaar kaisa

zulmat ki tarikion main, rang-e-hinna ka intazaar kaisa

ehad-o-wafa ki kia zarorat, aseer-e-zulf ka faraar kaisa

jab jaan he nisaar ho to, wahaan alfaaz ka israar kaisa

nazraana-e-muhabbat main, hisaab aur shumaar kaisa

khushi-o-gham bay maani, qaraar-o-ghamgusaar kaisa

sawaal kaisa, jawaab kaisa, ho inkaar aur iqraar kaisa

anmoal shey hay piaar to phir, hussan ka bazaar kaisa

gar hoon main dewana to phir, soach ka fishaar kaisa

naara-e-mastana lagga kar, fikkar ka ye izhaar kaisa
 23
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Faasla
wo apni zaat he main kion simat-ta ja raha hay
waqat kay saath saath kion mit-ta ja raha hay

mehfal kay arooj main to hay abhi ik garri baqi

magar wo kion sab haath jhatak-ta ja raha hay

mosam-e-gul hay, bahar ki masti hay joban par

aur wo hay keh kanton he say ulaj-ta ja raha hay

dagar be seedhi, aur nishan manzil be aakhri

na janay wo kion phir be bhatak-ta ja raha hay

nahi mehdood wo zamanon aur faaslon main

khuda janay kion wo ab dhalak-ta ja raha hay

jin aankhon say milti thee sada naveed piar ki

aaj un say faqat khoon he tapak-ta ja raha hay

jo zindagi ki misal tha, aur shan her jamaal ki

wo rafta rafta her manzir say hat-ta ja raha hay

uss ka rishta to sab say he sada raha ik jaisa

na janay kia hua, wo sab say kat-ta ja raha hay

wo bolta tha, to ruk jaati thee baad-e-bahar be

aaj kion her ik izhaar main atak-ta ja raha hay

baat kuch ho na ho, ranj iss say bara ho ga kia

ham sab ki jo tha jaan, wo bichar-ta ja raha hay

mujh say na poocho keh asal maajara hay kia

kia batlaoon, wo pehloo say sirk-ta ja raha hay
 24
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Raaz-o-Niaaz
shama ho ya parwana, donon ko he jalna hota hay
ik siskay shab bhar, ik ko pal main mitna hota hay

hussan aur jamaal main bas, tafreeq hay intni see

ik aankh main hota hay, ik nazron main samata hay

aashiq aur deevanay main be faraq hay thora saa

ik had kay paar hota hay, ik had say aari hota hay

dil ki baat raz rahay, ya izhar ho uska aankhon say

ik main ghutna parta hay, ik main tarapna hota hay

gharri ho hijar ki, ya ho pehar wasal say pehlay ka

dono he halaat main, waqat ko to rukna parta hay

khali ho daaman chahay, ya ho taj-o-takht ka saath

piaar ki qeemat dainay ko, khud ko bikna parta hay

ye dunia ya wo dunia, qaid hay yaksan dono main

ik main marna parta hay, ik main jeena parta hay

soach-o-daleel hotay hongay, asool zamanay kay

mairi baat samajnay ko, mujh jaisa hona parta hay
 25
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Sard Tanhaai
sard mausam ka mazaaj kitna alag sa hay
taveel raat main intazaar kitna alag sa hay

dhund bani naqab, aur chupa lia sitaron ko

unki tanhaai ka ab ihsas kitna alag sa hay

chaand be hoga tanha, dagar say atka hua

uskay sabar ka imtahaan, kitna alag sa hay

sunni hoi kahani ka, taqaaza wo baar baar

anjaam phir say bhoojna kitna alag sa hay

hotaiy hoye tanha, kerna mehsoos kissi ko

jazbaat ka haseen faraib kitna alag sa hay

khud he say karna sawaal, daina jawab be

phir zid aur takraar kerna kitna alag sa hay

her saat guzarti hay, ruk ruk kay baar baar

kiran photnay ka manzar kitna alag sa hay

dil aur damaagh be to ho jatay hain yakjaa

aag aur pani ka ye milap kitna alag sa hay

kehna tha kuch aur, biaan kuch aur ker dia

maira ye khud say darna kitna alag sa hay
 26
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Shahab-e-Saqib
khaak ka jab zahoor tha, wo sitara ho gia
sadion raha bharakta, phir sayara ho gia

markaz tha jo nizam ki, wasila aab taab ka

kho dee jab kashash to bay sahara ho gia

na dagar thee koi teh phir, rastay be ajnabi

jo wazah daar tha sada, wo awaara ho gia

toota uss andaaz say, keh wajood kho dia

maddar say hata he tha keh sharara ho gia

bikhra zameen pay aisay keh jazab ho gia

ik balla ki shan thee, phir para para ho gia

daikhtay thay jisay musafir, rahbari kay liay

wo pal do pal main aankh ka nazara ho gia

jisay tha kabhi socha, soch he main khoya

hijrat kay baad akhir wo be, hamara ho gia

ab sochta hoon main, ye sab majra hay kia

jo be girra muqam say, mujhay piara ho gia

Note: The theme of above poem is based on a documentary, which I watched on the
Discovery channel. It was about the creation, life cycle and the ultimate end/fate of
various celestial bodies. I have tried to express the same in a poetic way - the
creation of stars from the spread mass particles, their prime (once they twinkle/glow
with their own energy source), conversion from stars to planets (a planet do not have
its own light/energy source), stage when planets leave their orbit and become
meteors, phase once they enter the hemisphere of other celestial bodies (like earth),
and then the ultimate fate once they become shooting stars/meteorites (Shahab-e-
Saqib) and get destroyed after striking the earth surface. Thereafter, the star has no
separate identity and become part of other celestial body.
 27
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Tanhai
mairi basti main koi rota he nahi, ik ye he kami hay
jo gham ko baha dalay, bas ussi ansoo ki kami hay

raqsaan hay tabassam har shakhs kay chehray par

bay hiss hain sabhi basi, ya phir qurbat ki kami hay

her koi hay yahan tanha, sheshay kay gharon main

pathar to bohat hain, bas devaanon he ki kami hay

girnay to nahi daita koi uthay haath apnay dua say

par wajib hay jo shukarnay ko, us sajday ki kami hay

sab hain baytab bohat, dill dainay ko aur lainy ko

kehtay hain jisay baylaos uss mohabat ki kami hay

her daaman hay bhojal, sitaron kay khazeenay say

taqseem say jo milti hay, haan uss rahat ki kami hay

her chehra bana chand, manzar ko karay pur noor

chamakta hay jo aankh main, uss sitaray ki kami hay

tanhai ka ye kehna hay keh ab hijjrat hay laazim

hathon main magar mairy, uss raikha ki kami hay

alfaz kay gulshan say, saja raha hoon izhar yahan

jo dil pay karay asar gehra, uss jazbay ki kami hay
 28
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Hamdam
bay niazi nahin uss mein nadan bhi nahin hay
baat chothi si hay lakin, samajta he nahin hay

jiss soch main hay wo atka hua, kai dinon say

wo wajib nahi uss par aur fareeza be nahin hay

ankhain shola see laal, aur rukhsar jaisay gulab

dehakta be nahin hay aur mehkta be nahin hay

firozaan hay ab be, magar dhund main hay lipta

kabhi chupta nahin hay ,kabhi nikalta nahin hay

sawar hay mado jazar par, ik lehar ki manind

chalakta be nahin hay aur simat-ta be nahin hay

pukaro to sunta nahi, na pukaro to ruk jata hay

ajab majra hay keh baat koi karta bhi nahin hay

kabhi aab-e-baraan, kabhi sehra ki tarah piasa

magar barasta be nahin hay, tarasta be nahin hay

rootha be hay to ik shan hay andaz main us kay

faraifta be nahin hay aur guraizaan be nahin hay

kion hamdam ki nazar hay, ik aisi daggar par

jahan rasta kat-ta nahin, aur manzil be nahin hay

tu maanay ya na maanay, hay maira ye irada

ab jeena be nahin hay aur marna be nahin hay
 29
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

Wapsi
wo qurbaton ki raatain
wo sohbaton ki baatain
wo rahoton kay qissay
wo ulfaton ki saatain

na israar they hamaray

na alfaaz they saharey
na inkar ka tha khadsha
na anna thee aati aaray

her baat main raza thee

her inkar main qaza thee
her lamha jhuk raha tha
her saans pur maza thee

kuch gir rahi thee shabnam

kuch aankh be the purnam
kuch tashnagi be barh gai
kuch soch be thee gumsum

piar her nigah main tha

piar her sadda main tha
piar tha her lamha lamha
piar her adda main tha

tab azam dholnay ko tha

tab qasam boolnay ko tha
tab piar he ka ik izhar tha
tab jisam tootnay ko tha

girnay ko tha main arsh say

girany ko tha main farsh pay
girnay ka tha kuch malal be
girnay ko tha main khalash say

phir ayee yaad mujhay wafa

phir ayee yaad mujhay jafa
phir dar gia main khaof say
phir ayee yaad mujhay saza
 30
“A POET IN ME” By: Shahid Riaz”

laot ayia phir main shan say

laot ayia phir main aan say
loat ayee phir her soch be
laot ayia phir main maan say

insaan main haiwan be hay

insaan main insaan be hay
insaan gar sochay kabhi to
insaan main nirwan be hay

Betaab

hijar main wasal ke aadaab kahan aatey hain

hosh main ab terey betaab kahan aatey hain

phir kar gia muztarib lutf e rafaqat ka saraab

mehfal main ab wo bayhijab kahan atey hain

bikhar gia ho ga kisi toot-tay sitaary ka noor

mairy ghar warna mahtaab kahan aatey hain

hansi hansi main ho aagia wo zikar wafa ka

tery andaaz main inqalaab kahan aatey hain

kisi raqeeb nay dia ho ga taana baywafai ka

teri ankhon main ab sailaab kahan aatey hain

behaka dia ho ga kisi sukhanwar nay shyed

baat karny ke usey aadaab kahaan aatey hain

khial saqi ko aagia sahar ki aamid ka warna

tery meh khany say sairaab kahan aatey hain

meri khamoshi main koi raaz nahi posheeda

bohat sawaalon ke jawaab kahan aatey hain

abhi to dhoond raha hoon main khud ko be

iss rah guzar main ahbaab kahan aatey hain