Apple, Cross and Karakuli*

Apple

gingerly she asked me how
would I re-live that moment
thought for a moment or two
and then said if I were there
would have burned down that tree.

The Cross

fate, chance or promise was it
you went up and came down as well
and believers are forever
being nailed to new’r crosses.

Karakuli*

whirling after the climax
coquettishly she enquired
when would you ever grow up
donning Karakuli* said, "Now."

Saib

poocha oos shokh nay batlao
gar mauqaa mila do’bara
tou kaisay zindagi apni
bitao gay, souch kar kaha
oos darakht kou sab say pehlay
nazr-e-aatish kardaiN gay hum.

Saleeb

qismat, taqdeer, ya wa’adah thaa
tu chaRhaa aur ootar gaya
aur momin hum har dum har soo’
chaRhtay hi chalay jaatay haiN

Karakuli*

ba’ad raqs-e-hangaam-e-bay-khudi poocha oos nay
aakhir kub aa’aiy gi mata’nat-o-sanjeedgi
pehan kar Karakuli youN bolay hum, “li’ji’aye.”