**Waiting**
Breaking a fragile heart, you ask, "How are you?"
Abandoning me halfway on the path, you ask, "How are you?"
Who knows how long I sat here, waiting and waiting?
Having turned your own path away, you ask, "How are you?"
Every day, seeing people wearing masks...
Chasing after others, you ask, "How are you?"
Forgetting the sweet moments of our love today...
And forging a bond with mere beauty, you ask, "How are you?"
I am dying from the agony of waiting—oh, you heartless one!
Picking at my still-raw wounds, you ask, "How are you?"
16-4-2026
**Helplessness**
Do not force me to breathe my last, broken by this waiting.
I beg of you: never let me become so utterly exhausted and shattered.
Today, if I have found strength in the embrace of my mother's love...
Do not look upon my helplessness with such arrogance and pride.
I know that the customs and traditions of this world hold you back...
But come what may, do not let yourself drift away from your true self.
If you hear gossip, keep your composure and stay centered...
For people will keep saying whatever they please; do not let it drive you to madness.
If you wish to leave, walk away quietly, without making a sound...
Do not invent excuses or pretexts just to part ways, my dear.
17-4-2026
**Alive**
Keep writing verses like unseasonal rains...
Keep blooming and blossoming, even as you let yourself be drenched.
To keep the world within your heart fresh and vibrant...
Keep meeting with friends, simply for the joy of it, without any ulterior motive.
Singing colorful *ghazals* amidst the gathering...
Keep stitching together the pieces of your broken heart.
To prove that you are truly alive in this world...
Keep making your presence felt by appearing in the gatherings of people.
However God chooses to keep you—my dear friend...
Just keep shining on, quietly and serenely.
17-4-2026
**Dilemma**
An entire lifetime slipped away in the struggle for a perfect life...
In the search for a destination that remained unknown... Lost and wandering
upon the paths...
Counting the stars that shimmered in the cool, moonlit night,
Overcome by the agony of waiting, sleep itself fled from my eyes.
After ages, when Beauty herself promised a rendezvous,
And the sun broke through the clouds, my eyes lit up with joy.
Look, my friend, at this gathering filled with poetry and verse;
In the presence of seasoned bards, my own poetry flowed forth in abundance.
In the long nights of separation, the moments refuse to pass;
Yet, with a gentle breeze drifting through the air, a bud sways gracefully.
18-4-2026
Musafir (The Traveler)
Do not say "Khuda Hafiz" (Goodbye) as you depart from this city;
It causes immense pain to watch you leave.
You walked away in silence, without a word exchanged;
You could have at least left behind a little love and affection.
If ever your travels bring you this way again—even for a fleeting moment—
Bear the bittersweet burden of meeting me as you pass through the city.
How shall I spend the remainder of this life left to me?
You could have at least left behind a flower to soothe my lonely heart.
Since you know that you have taken up residence in my very soul and being,
Have some mercy, and lock away the chest of memories as you go.
For the sake of one last, lingering look—to gaze upon you to my heart's content—
You could have lifted the veils of modesty and shyness from your eyes.
For who knows when—or if—I shall ever return again?
You could have at least quenched this burning thirst for one final glimpse.
19-4-2026
Tanhai (Solitude)
To the one before whom I laid down all the light and radiance of my life,
She, in silence, simply handed me over to the care of others.
She walked away smiling, never once looking back, my friend;
She found a beautiful new flower, and cast me aside upon the shore.
To ensure no doubt or uncertainty remained, I spoke my whole heart;
I laid bare the truth behind even the most trivial, nonsensical matters.
Now, I have no desire to speak to anyone else ever again;
I have simply surrendered my very self to the mercy of fate. ...I let them go.
I harbor no hope, nor will I voice any grievances henceforth;
I simply made do with whatever fate bestowed upon me.
What, truly, did you gain by keeping the secrets of your heart locked within?
Why did you let ages pass before finally declaring your love? Today, solitude laid siege to me, leaving my body and soul desolate.
To bring some cheer to my heart, I cast playful glances with my eyes.
20-4-2026
**A Companion**
A companion who would stand by me for a lifetime is nowhere to be found, not even for a fleeting moment.
Perhaps, in this world, my destiny simply does not align with anyone else's.
It was my deepest wish that, somewhere along life's journey, I would find someone.
But let alone finding a kindred spirit, I cannot even find a heart—not even one made of stone.
Behold the strange irony of the changing seasons:
Now, even in the blazing midday sun, I cannot find my own shadow keeping pace with me.
While walking life's path, one meets many people with whom to exchange pleasantries,
Yet, one cannot find a single human being worthy enough to be called a true friend.
Now, my only hope, dear friend, is to live out my remaining days in simple joy and happiness;
But alas, that childhood innocence—and the loving affection that once nurtured me—can no longer be found, even within my own home.
21-4-2026
**Four Days of Happiness**
No sooner had I lived out my four brief days of happiness than the world grew envious;
Such an evil eye was cast upon me that those four days of happiness faded away just as quickly as they had arrived.
Since the world takes no pleasure in the happiness of others,
A wise voice whispered in my ear: "Do not flaunt your happiness openly."
I had yearned to live my life smiling, surrounded by my loved ones;
But alas, the deepest desires of my heart remained buried within—never to see the light of day.
Cruel, hard-hearted people dwell all around me;
Time and again, through their envious, sidelong glances, they have devoured my happiness.
Storms, surges, and whirlwinds swept through my life;
And so, those four brief days of happiness drifted away—unlived and lost forever.
22-4-2026
**A Selfish World**
The night has fallen while I was still trying to express the yearnings of my heart;
Lost in conversation within my thoughts, I have been defeated by the onset of sleep.
In this world, everyone is busy pursuing their own self-interests;
By now, I have grown completely disillusioned with this selfish, self-absorbed world.
Through the eyes of the people around me... Escaping the world today,
A silent conversation has taken place, spoken solely through our eyes.
The world has always been an adversary to the heart;
Yet, our meeting has become the very source of our bliss.
Even today, he broke the promise he made, my friend;
And so, the long night, too, has become my companion in this wait.
23-4-2026
**Days of Poverty**
Do not hold me back now, for I journey forth to wander;
I travel to break free—in spirit—from these days of poverty.
Whether kin or stranger, if no one truly understood
And offered their support—
I have drunk deeply from the cup of sorrow; now, I travel forth
To let my emotions finally overflow.
Leaving behind the longing and search for a shoulder to lean on,
Far removed from the bustling settlement—
I travel forth to nurture and let myself flourish,
Deep within my own being.
No one can bestow happiness upon another; one must find joy
Within oneself, all alone—
I travel forth to drink from the goblet of happiness,
And let myself be blissfully swept away.
Such is life—the cycle of wealth and poverty will forever turn;
Holding onto this sole thought—
I travel forth simply to feel the pulse of life,
To truly feel that I am alive.
24-4-2026
Work is Worship
If work is indeed worship, then one must perform it with great care.
Throughout life, one should amass a wealth of good deeds.
Perform your actions with integrity, honesty, and dedication.
Through diligent effort, one should strive to advance in life.
Pave the path toward self-realization;
Through the practice of *Karma Yoga*—the path of selfless action—one should rise to greater heights, attaining a state of inner well-being.
Remember: work truly becomes worship only when
One pursues one's duties with a spirit of absolute selflessness.
Letting *Dharma* (righteousness) and morality guide your actions,
Find your true happiness, peace, and tranquility within the very act of working.
25-4-2026
Solitude
What is this tale of solitude?
What is this existence? What is this life?
Why have we drifted apart?
What now lies between you and me?
Just one more time—
What remains of the means for our reunion?
Do not act in such a manner;
For you know well the nature of rebellion and estrangement.
If one's spirit is resolute and soaring high,
Then what is the vast sky but a mere canvas for flight? 25-4-2026
**The View**
I found no sight capable of truly soothing my heart;
I found no sign of joy, no chance to live even for two brief moments.
Throughout my entire life, a complaint has always lingered in my heart;
I traversed the entire ocean of existence, yet nowhere did I find a shore.
What remedy can I now seek for the wounds of my heart and soul?
I searched the heavens all night long, yet found not a single guiding star.
I met countless familiar faces—acquaintances aplenty—yet never once...
Did I find true refuge or shelter within the heart of a genuine friend.
It seems as though my happiness fell victim to an evil eye;
For I was never granted a second chance to truly live this life.
When the moment came to part, you never once turned back to look;
And so, when I needed support the most, I found no one to lean upon.
Everything I ever desired remained just beyond my reach, my friend;
And to cross this ocean of worldly existence, I found no raft to carry me across.
26-4-2026
**I Do Not Drink; I Was Made to Drink**
Beauty itself has ushered me into this gathering of wine-filled goblets;
I am not one who drinks by choice—rather, I was compelled to drink.
I took four sips from the hands of sheer beauty;
And in doing so, I experienced the pure ecstasy of paradise.
The sheer delight of sitting together and sharing a drink...
Has brought with it a strange and profound sense of tranquility.
After an eternity of waiting and longing...
I finally found true vibrancy and cheer in the company of friends.
To evoke a sense of spiritual transcendence...
The song of *Ishq-e-Haqiqi*—Divine Love—was sung.
27-4-2026
**Look to Your Own Home**
Look to your own home; for people, out of envy, will inevitably...
Burn with jealousy over your progress.
What do they hear? What do they truly understand? And what...
Do they choose to say?
If you spend your days—from morning till night—wandering about aimlessly...
Then what exactly is your occupation? And why is it that...
You remain awake throughout the entire night?
Stop wearing a mask merely to put on a show for the world;
Why can you not simply appear—both inwardly and outwardly—...
Exactly as you truly are? You are all roaming around the entire city,
making yourselves look like clowns!
What kind of outlandish attire do you wear
just to attract people's attention?
Has lethargy built a permanent nest
within your body and soul?
That you let your days—night and day,
morning and evening—slip away without doing any work?
28-4-2026
**Life is But Four Days Long**
Life is but four days long; live it fully, with laughter and joy!
Raise a glass of happiness and drink it deep, in the company of friends and pals.
Cast aside all worries—what good do they serve? Come, let us dance!
Sway and revel a little amidst these intoxicating, blissful breezes.
Who knows what tomorrow holds, or what is yet to come?
So, weave the joyous moments of today deep into the very fabric of your heart and soul.
Time is a ruthless and deceitful master, my friend;
Whatever you desire from anyone—take it now, while it is within your reach.
The "tomorrow" you were waiting for—that very tomorrow is here, today!
So, adorn yourself and celebrate to your heart's content—right here, right now.
29-4-2026
**The Season**
The season’s decree is clear: do not venture outside your home.
The intuition and feeling of the moment suggest: do not venture outside your home.
I have adorned this courtyard
with hope, zest, and boundless enthusiasm.
A bounty of flowers has been bestowed right here; do not venture outside your home.
With the vibrant bloom of spring,
my body and soul have been rejuvenated and renewed.
A treasure trove of beauty awaits right here; do not venture outside your home.
It is a celebration—a chance to fully experience
the youthful vigor of the trees.
The true spectacle lies within these very surroundings; do not venture outside your home.
My waiting eyes are longing for you;
come quickly, I implore you!
My friend, our home and sanctuary are right here; do not
venture outside your home.
30-4-2026
