Shayd ab is sardi mein

bahar ki shardi ki garam hawaon mein
aansuon ki ek jhalak paai thi...
waqt ke sawaalon ke tale
chipi hui ek khaai thi..
us khaai mein aansuon ka ek sailaab tha
usi ki jhalak to aai thi..
na jaane wo khai kis shaitaan kis insaan
ya kis bhagwan ne banai thi??

himalaya ke barf ko yahan ki garmi pighla de..
is sard mausam mein aisi hawaayein aayi thi...
aur phir
darrr kar, chip kar pata nahi kahan se
dil ki ye tamanna bahar aayi thi....
ye tamanna garam hawaon ke liye
barf ka ek safed tukda jo laayi thi..

bas phir kya tha
ab bahar ki sardi mein bhi
shard hawaon ki mehak aayi hai...
dooor kahin chahchahate panchiyon ki
khanak dee sunayi hai...
yehi chehchahahat
dil mein ek naya vichar lekar aayi hai...
shayad ab is sardi mein
vasant ritu ki jhalak aayi hai...

Dated 15th January 2008