Song of Myself

" Image: Eternity by Neha"

I CELEBRATE myself, and sing myself,

And what I assume you shall assume,

For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you...

Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?
Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?
Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look
through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

I have heard what the talkers were talking, the talk of the beginning and the end,

But I do not talk of the beginning or the end.

There was never any more inception than there is now,
Nor any more youth or age than there is now,
And will never be any more perfection than there is now,
Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now....

Trippers and askers surround me,
People I meet, the effect upon me of my early life or the ward and
city I live in, or the nation,
The latest dates, discoveries, inventions, societies, authors old and new,
My dinner, dress, associates, looks, compliments, dues,
The real or fancied indifference of some man or woman I love,
The sickness of one of my folks or of myself, or ill-doing or loss
or lack of money, or depressions or exaltations,
Battles, the horrors of fratricidal war, the fever of doubtful news, the fitful events;
These come to me days and nights and go from me again,
But they are not the Me myself

Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am,
Stands amused, complacent, compassionating, idle, unitary,
Looks down, is erect, or bends an arm on an impalpable certain rest,
Looking with side-curved head curious what will come next,
Both in and out of the game and watching and wondering at it.

Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with
linguists and contenders,
I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait....

Oxen that rattle the yoke and chain or halt in the leafy shade, what
is that you express in your eyes?
It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life...

What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me,
Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns,
Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me,
Not asking the sky to come down to my good will,
Scattering it freely forever...

These are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands, they
are not original with me,
If they are not yours as much as mine they are nothing, or next to
nothing,
If they are not the riddle and the untying of the riddle they are
nothing,
If they are not just as close as they are distant they are nothing.

This is the grass that grows wherever the land is and the water is,
This the common air that bathes the globe...

With music strong I come, with my cornets and my drums,
I play not marches for accepted victors only, I play marches for
conquer'd and slain persons.

Have you heard that it was good to gain the day?
I also say it is good to fall, battles are lost in the same spirit
in which they are won.

I beat and pound for the dead,
I blow through my embouchures my loudest and gayest for them.

Vivas to those who have fail'd!
And to those whose war-vessels sank in the sea!
And to those themselves who sank in the sea!
And to all generals that lost engagements, and all overcome heroes!
And the numberless unknown heroes equal to the greatest heroes
known!

This is the meal equally set, this the meat for natural hunger,
It is for the wicked just same as the righteous, I make appointments
with all,
I will not have a single person slighted or left away,
The kept-woman, sponger, thief, are hereby invited,
The heavy-lipp'd slave is invited, the venerealee is invited;
There shall be no difference between them and the rest.

exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content.

One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is myself,
And whether I come to my own to-day or in ten thousand or ten
million years,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can wait....

I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul,
The pleasures of heaven are with me and the pains of hell are with
me,
The first I graft and increase upon myself, the latter I translate
into new tongue.

I am the poet of the woman the same as the man,
And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man,
And I say there is nothing greater than the mother of men.

I chant the chant of dilation or pride,
We have had ducking and deprecating about enough,
I show that size is only development.

Have you outstript the rest? are you the President?
It is a trifle, they will more than arrive there every one, and
still pass on.

I am he that walks with the tender and growing night,
I call to the earth and sea half-held by the night...

I am not the poet of goodness only, I do not decline to be the poet
of wickedness also.

What blurt is this about virtue and about vice?
Evil propels me and reform of evil propels me, I stand indifferent,
My gait is no fault-finder's or rejecter's gait,
I moisten the roots of all that has grown.

I dote on myself, there is that lot of me and all so luscious,
Each moment and whatever happens thrills me with joy,
I cannot tell how my ankles bend, nor whence the cause of my
faintest wish,
Nor the cause of the friendship I emit, nor the cause of the
friendship I take again.

That I walk up my stoop, I pause to consider if it really be,
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics
of books.

To behold the day-break!
The little light fades the immense and diaphanous shadows,
The air tastes good to my palate.

I know I have the best of time and space, and was never measured and
never will be measured.

I tramp a perpetual journey, (come listen all!)
My signs are a rain-proof coat, good shoes, and a staff cut from the woods,
No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair,
I have no chair, no church, no philosophy,
I lead no man to a dinner-table, library, exchange,
But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll,
My left hand hooking you round the waist,
My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public road.

Not I, not any one else can travel that road for you,
You must travel it for yourself.

It is not far, it is within reach,
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born and did not know,
Perhaps it is everywhere on water and on land.

Shoulder your duds dear son, and I will mine, and let us hasten forth,
Wonderful cities and free nations we shall fetch as we go....

You are also asking me questions and I hear you,
I answer that I cannot answer, you must find out for yourself...

have said that the soul is not more than the body,
And I have said that the body is not more than the soul,
And nothing, not God, is greater to one than one's self is,
And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud,
And I or you pocketless of a dime may purchase the pick of the earth,
And to glance with an eye or show a bean in its pod confounds the learning of all times,
And there is no trade or employment but the young man following it may become a hero,
And there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel'd universe,
And I say to any man or woman, Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes....

Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you...

- Walt Whitman

Note: Read the unabridged version of "Song of Myself" at http://www.princeton.edu/~batke/logr/log_026.html

Revolutionary Road

" Image: Quiet Revolution by Neha"

Joseph Conrad wrote in ‘an anarchist’... “On the whole, my idea is that he was much more of an anarchist than he confessed to me or to himself; and that, the special features of his case apart, he was very much like many other anarchists. Warm heart and weak head--that is the word of the riddle; and it is a fact that the bitterest contradictions and the deadliest conflicts of the world are carried on in every individual breast capable of feeling and passion” And so is the case with all revolutionary roads . I loved the Wheeler's revolutionary road for April Wheeler .For her dream to dream a dream. Loved it for Frank Wheeler for atleast opening to the possibility of touching that dream. After all hoping and wishing, all revolutions take resolution.What's your revolutionary road?

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie are:

April Wheeler:

"If being crazy means living life as if it matters then I don't care if we are completely insane "

" Tell me the truth, Frank, remember that? We used to live by it. And you know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they've lived without it. No one forgets the truth, Frank, they just get better at lying"

" I wanted IN. I just wanted us to live again"

Frank Wheeler:

" I want to feel things. Really feel them."

" Knowing what you've got, knowing what you need, knowing what you can do without - That's inventory control"

- The Revolutionary Road script is available at http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Revolutionary-Road.html
- Listen to the beautiful soundtrack at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuUkGT2WU-E&feature=related

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

" Image : Time Capsule by Neha"

Saw the Curious Case of Benjamin Button in an open air film festival yesterday with a big wide air screen on a beautiful starry night amidst helicopters passing above us like a buzzing firefly every once in a while, children giggling away in a distance and the beautiful sounds and smell of the night time all around. The setting was as perfect as it could be. I loved it. I loved it so much that I have to ( happily )add it to my list of all time favorite movies for its simple yet profound message and the moving characters. Benjamin Button is an adaptation of a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man born old and aging backwards. The story was first published in 1921 and according to good ol' wikipedia, it was anthologized in the collection " Tales of the Jazz Age". I didn't know the movie's connection to F Scott Fitzgerald until after I saw it but it doesn't surprise me as an avid lover of Fitzgerald's story telling , especially the Great Gatsby ( which was published in 1925 ) . And as soon I remember this...the last words of Great Gatsby flash by me - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past..the theme of timeless time being the intersection between Button and Gatsby ( though the movie adapation differs from the short story in many ways - the diversions only add to the story than taking away from it)

The story begins with an 81 year old Daisy ( Cate Blanchett) on her deathbed with her 37-year-old daughter Caroline ( Julia Ormond)in a New Orleans hospital as Hurricane Katrina is approaching. Caroline tells daisy how much she is going to miss her, saying that one of her friends' never got a chance to say goodbye to her mother. Which happens so often - we think we are timeless or rather should say that we are not even aware of our mortal spans which sooner or later would end- in the process missing the chance to tell people how much they are loved. The picture of ailing Daisy on the bed and Caroline seems so familiar to me in the first few shots till it comes back ...the English Patient with an ailing man ( Ralph Fiennes) sharing his story with beautiful Hana ( played by younger Julia Ormond ) who was taking care of the English Patient. Another interesting overlap between Button and the English Patient being the backdrop of war...Benjamin Button is born as World War 1 is ending while the backdrop to the English Patient is World World war 2. And so - in the non linear story telling style of the English Patient ( as also Forrest Gump in some ways), the story unfolds taking us through Benjamin's beautiful life. Some of my favorite scenes of the movie are :

1) The story of blind clock maker Monsier Gateau who lost his son in the war :

“Mr. Cake” winds the clock, which chimes a glorious chime... Pushed by an angel, the second-hand begins its eternal journey...going around... Everyone cheers... until they realize the clock is going the wrong way... traveling backwards in time... A man shouts, “It’s running backwards!” MONSIEUR GATEAU I made it this way... so that perhaps, the boys who were lost in the war might stand and go home again...

2) On Accident or destiny :

Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. If only one thing had happened differently: if that shoelace hadn't broken; or that delivery truck had moved moments earlier; or that package had been wrapped and ready, because the girl hadn't broken up with her boyfriend; or that man had set his alarm and got up five minutes earlier; or that taxi driver hadn't stopped for a cup of coffee; or that woman had remembered her coat, and got into an earlier cab, Daisy and her friend would've crossed the street, and the taxi would've driven by. But life being what it is — a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control — that taxi did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that taxi hit Daisy, and her leg was crushed.

3) The humming bird : While in the sea in the midst of war :

Benjamin’s quiet. When suddenly a HUMMINGBIRD comes flying across the water... It circles the wreath, the way Hummingbirds do... and then flies off...

Benjamin says : ...I’d never seen a hummingbird that far out to sea before...

( just before her own end ) Daisy nods. Caroline goes out of the room... It’s quiet. Daisy’s alone now... looking out the window... at the howling, hurricane... a hundred mile an hour fury... And fighting against the wind, trying to reach the window is a hummingbird... it almost makes it and is pushed back by the gale... but undaunted, its wings doing a figure eight... the symbol for infinity... it fights its way through the wind to the window... tapping at the window... and the hummingbird flies away... she watches it go... and after some moments she says...Goodnight Benjamin..

And she closes her eyes for the very last time... and it’s dark... where it’s peaceful, even safe...

4) Some people ( Benjamin's Last lines ) ( see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvTJAtehxWs&feature=related )

“I figured out one thing. If you’re growing older or getting younger it really doesn’t make any
difference. Whichever way you’re going you have to make the most of what this is.”

Some people were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people — dance.


- The script is available at : http://www.paramountguilds.com/movies/script/CCBB_Screenplay_WGA.pdf

Pretend

" Image : Magic by Neha"

Pretend you're happy when you're blue
It isn't very hard to do
And you'll find happiness without an end
Whenever you pretend

Remember anyone can dream
And nothing's bad as it may seem
The little things you haven't got
Could be a lot if you pretend

You'll find a love you can share
One you can call all your own
Just close your eyes, she'll be there
You'll never be alone

And if you sing this melody
You'll be pretending just like me
The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend
So why don't you pretend?

And if you sing this melody
You'll be pretending just like me
The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend
So why don't you pretend?

- Sung by Nat King Cole in 1953

- Listen to this amazingly profound song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAW2MMI-AY&feature=PlayList&p=FCAA2EF84B2D10F3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21

As time goes by..

" Image : Moments by Neha"

[This day and age we're living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension.

Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein's theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension

And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed.]

You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

- Casablanca

-Music and lyrics for this beautiful song are by Herman Hupfeld

- Listen to this song at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIiAdHGi3AI&feature=related

If only I had a heart

" Tin man parts by Valerie Everett"
( See information below)

When a man's an empty kettle

He should be on his mettle

And yet I'm torn apart
Just because I'm presumin'
That I could be a human
If I only had a heart

I'd be tender, I'd be gentle
And awful sentimental
Regarding love and art
I'd be friends with the sparrows
And the boy that shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart

Picture me a balcony
Above a voice sings low

(Snow White)
Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

(Tin Man)
I hear a beat, how sweet!

Just to register emotion, jealousy, devotion
And really feel the part
I could stay young and chipper

And I'd lock it with a zipper
If I only had a heart

- the Tin man, Wizard of Oz

- Listen to " If I Only had a heart at" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc5DeJevhWA&feature=related
- Image information : this image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeriebb/

What are you doing the rest of your life?

" Image : Summer eyes by Neha"

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and south and east and west of your life?
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me.
All the seasons and the times of your days.
All the nickels and the dimes of your days.
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days.
All begin and end with me.
I want to see your face,
In every kind of light,
In fields of gold and
Forests of the night;
And when you stand before
The candles on a cake.
Oh let me be the one to hear
The silent wish you make.
Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love you keep in your eyes,
Ill awaken whats asleep in your eyes,
It may take a kiss or two..
Through all of my life..
Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life,
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you.

- This lovely song with lyrics written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman and original music written by Michel Legrand for the 1969 film The Happy Ending and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. ( source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Are_You_Doing_the_Rest_of_Your_Life%3F)

- Listen on youtube at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZU4Wd8Iuj0

- I also love this arrangement - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgV9yGLU2_I&feature=related

Metamorphosis

Just When The Caterpillar Thought The World Was Over,
It Became A Butterfly

Proverb

Sweet and sad..

"Sunday Dusk by miamabanta "
( see image information below)

Thus in silence, in dream's projections,Returning, resuming, I thread my way through the hospitals;
The hurt and the wounded I pacify with soothing hand,I sit by the restless all the dark night — some are so young; Some suffer so much — I recall the experience sweet and sad.

- Walt Whitman

Image information : This image is from http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sunday%20dusk&w=85485817%40N00

Jeevan kee aapadhapee mein

जीवन की आपाधापी में कब वक़्त मिला
कुछ देर कहीं पर बैठ कभी यह सोच सकूँ
जो किया, कहा, माना उसमें क्या बुरा भला।

जिस दिन मेरी चेतना जगी मैंने देखा
मैं खड़ा हुआ हूँ इस दुनिया के मेले में,
हर एक यहाँ पर एक भुलाने में भूला
हर एक लगा है अपनी अपनी दे-ले में
कुछ देर रहा हक्का-बक्का, भौचक्का-सा,
आ गया कहाँ, क्या करूँ यहाँ, जाऊँ किस जा?
फिर एक तरफ से आया ही तो धक्का-सा
मैंने भी बहना शुरू किया उस रेले में,
क्या बाहर की ठेला-पेली ही कुछ कम थी,
जो भीतर भी भावों का ऊहापोह मचा,
जो किया, उसी को करने की मजबूरी थी,
जो कहा, वही मन के अंदर से उबल चला,
जीवन की आपाधापी में कब वक़्त मिला
कुछ देर कहीं पर बैठ कभी यह सोच सकूँ
जो किया, कहा, माना उसमें क्या बुरा भला।

मेला जितना भड़कीला रंग-रंगीला था,
मानस के अन्दर उतनी ही कमज़ोरी थी,
जितना ज़्यादा संचित करने की ख़्वाहिश थी,
उतनी ही छोटी अपने कर की झोरी थी,
जितनी ही बिरमे रहने की थी अभिलाषा,
उतना ही रेले तेज ढकेले जाते थे,
क्रय-विक्रय तो ठण्ढे दिल से हो सकता है,
यह तो भागा-भागी की छीना-छोरी थी;
अब मुझसे पूछा जाता है क्या बतलाऊँ
क्या मान अकिंचन बिखराता पथ पर आया,
वह कौन रतन अनमोल मिला ऐसा मुझको,
जिस पर अपना मन प्राण निछावर कर आया,
यह थी तकदीरी बात मुझे गुण दोष न दो
जिसको समझा था सोना, वह मिट्टी निकली,
जिसको समझा था आँसू, वह मोती निकला।
जीवन की आपाधापी में कब वक़्त मिला
कुछ देर कहीं पर बैठ कभी यह सोच सकूँ
जो किया, कहा, माना उसमें क्या बुरा भला।

मैं कितना ही भूलूँ, भटकूँ या भरमाऊँ,
है एक कहीं मंज़िल जो मुझे बुलाती है,
कितने ही मेरे पाँव पड़े ऊँचे-नीचे,
प्रतिपल वह मेरे पास चली ही आती है,
मुझ पर विधि का आभार बहुत-सी बातों का।
पर मैं कृतज्ञ उसका इस पर सबसे ज़्यादा -
नभ ओले बरसाए, धरती शोले उगले,
अनवरत समय की चक्की चलती जाती है,
मैं जहाँ खड़ा था कल उस थल पर आज नहीं,
कल इसी जगह पर पाना मुझको मुश्किल है,
ले मापदंड जिसको परिवर्तित कर देतीं
केवल छूकर ही देश-काल की सीमाएँ
जग दे मुझपर फैसला उसे जैसा भाए
लेकिन मैं तो बेरोक सफ़र में जीवन के
इस एक और पहलू से होकर निकल चला।
जीवन की आपाधापी में कब वक़्त मिला
कुछ देर कहीं पर बैठ कभी यह सोच सकूँ
जो किया, कहा, माना उसमें क्या बुरा भला।

- Harivansh Rai Bacchan

Chhip chhip ashroo bahaney walon

Chhip chhip ashru bahaney walon
Moti vyarth lutaney walo
Kuchh sapno ke mar jaaney se
Jeevan nahi mara karta hai

Sapna kya hai, nayan sej par
Soya hua aankh ka paani
Aur tootna hai uska jyon
Jaagey kachchi neend jawani

Geeli umar bananey walo
Doobey bina nahaney walo
Kuchh paani ke bah jaaney se
Saawan nahi mara karta hai

Maala bikhar gai to kya
Khud hi hal ho gai samasya
Anshoo gar neelaam huey toh
Samjho poori hui tapasya

Roothey diwas mananey walo
Fati kameez silaaney walo
Kuchh deepon ke bujh jaaney se
Aangan nahi mara karta hai

Khota kuchh bhi nahi yahan par
Kewal jild badalti pothi
Jaise raat utaar chaandni
Pehne subah dhoop ki dhoti

Vastr badalkar aaney walo
Chaal badalkar jaaney walo
Chand khilono ke khoney se
Bachpan nahi mara karta hai

Laakhon baar gagriyan phooti
Shikan na aayi par panghat par
Laakhon baar kashtiyan doobi
Chahal pahal woi hai tat par

Tam ki umr badhaaney walo
Lau ki aayu ghataaney walo
Laakh kare patjhar koshish par
Upvan nahi mara karta hai

Loot liya maali ne upvan
Lutee na lekin gandh phool ki
Toofaano tak ne chheda par
Khidki band na hui dhool ki

Nafrat galey lagaaney walo
Sab par dhool udaaney walo
Kuchh mukhdon ki naaraazi se
Darpan nahi mara karta hai

- Neeraj

Notes: I like this recital on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho6OydgoahM

Karwaan Guzar Gaya..

स्वप्न झरे फूल से, मीत चुभे शूल से
लुट गये सिंगार सभी बाग़ के बबूल से
और हम खड़े खड़े, बहार देखते रहे
कारवाँ गुजर गया, गुबार देखते रहे

नींद भी खुली न थी कि हाय धूप ढल गयी
पाँव जब तलक उठें कि जिंदगी फिसल गयी
पात पात झर गये कि शाख़ शाख़ जल गयी
चाह तो निकल सकी न पर उमर निकल गयी
गीत अश्क बन गये, छंद हो दफन गये
साथ के सभी दिये धुआँ पहन पहन गये
और हम झुके, झुके, मोड़ पर रुके रुके
उम्र के चढ़ाव का उतार देखते रहे
कारवाँ गुजर गया, गुबार देखते रहे

क्या शबाब था कि फूल, फूल प्यार कर उठा
क्या श्रंगार था कि देख, आइना सिहर उठा
इस तरफ जमीन और आसमाँ उधर उठा
थाम कर जिगर उठा कि जो मिला नजर उठा
एक दिन मगर यहाँ, ऐसी कुछ हवा चली
लुट गयी कली, कली कि घुट गयी गली, गली
और हम लुटे, लुटे, वक्त से पिटे, पिटे
साँस की शराब का खुमार देखते रहे
कारवाँ गुजर गया, गुबार देखते रहे

हाथ थे मिले कि जुल्फ चाँद की संवार दूँ
होठ थे मिले कि हर बहार को पुकार दूँ
दर्द था दिया गया कि हर दुखी को प्यार दूँ
और साँस ताकि स्वर्ग भूमि पर उतार दूँ
हो सका न कुछ मगर, शाम बन गयी सहर
वह उठी लहर कि ढह गए किले बिखर बिखर
और हम डरे डरे, नीर नयन में भरे
ओढ कर कफ़न पड़े, मजार देखते रहे
कारवाँ गुजर गया, गुबार देखते रहे

माँग भर चली कि एक, इक नई नई किरण
ढोलकें धुमुक उठीं, ठुमुक उठे चरण चरण
गाँव सब उमड़ पड़ा, बहक उठे नयन नयन
शोर मच गया कि लो चली दुल्हन, चली दुल्हन
पर तभी जहर भरी, गाज एक वह गिरी
पुँछ गया सिंदूर तार तार हुई चूनरी
और हम अजान से, दूर के मकान से
पालकी लिये हुए कहार देखते रहे
कारवाँ गुजर गया, गुबार देखते रहे

- Neeraj

Publish Post

Door se door talak ek bhee darakht na tha

Door se door talak ek bhee darakht na thaa
tumhaare ghar kaa safar is qadar to saKht na thaa

[daraKht = tree; saKht = difficult/hard]

itney masroof they ham jaaney kii taiyaaree mein
khadey them tum aur tumhein dekhney kaa vaqt ka thaa

[masroof = busy]

main jis kee khoj mein Khud kho gayaa tha meley mein
kaheen vo meraa hee ehasaas to kambakht na thaa

[Khoj = search,kambakht = unfortunate]

jo zulm sah ke bhii chup rah gayaa na Khaul uThaa
vo aur kuchh ho magar aadamii kaa rakt na thaa

[Zulm = atrocity, Khaul = boil; raqt = blood]

unhii.n faqiiro.n ne itihaas banaayaa hai yahaa.N
jin pe itihaas ko likhane ke liye vaqt na thaa

[itihaas = history]

sharaab kar ke piyaa us ne zahar jiivan bhar
hamaare shahar me.n 'Neeraj'-saa ko_ii mast na thaa

- Gopaldas Neeraj

Rone se aur ishq mein..

Rone Se Aur Ishq Mein Bebaak Ho Gaye
Dhoe Gae Ham Aise Ki Bas Paak Ho Gaye

[Rone= crying , Bebaak=outspoken/bold, dhoe = washed, Paak=pure/clean/holy ]

Sarf-E-Bahaa-E-Mai Hue Aalaat-E-Maikashii
The Ye Hii Do Hisaab So Yon Paak Ho Gae

[Sarf=expenditure, Bahaa=value/price, Mai=bar]
[Aalaat=instruments, Apparatus; Maikashii=drinking]

Rusvaa-E-Dahar Go Hue Aavaargii Se Tum
Baare Tabiiyaton Ke To Chaalaak Ho Gae

[Rusavaa=Dishonored, Dahar=world, Go= Although, Baare=at Last]

Kahataa Hai Kaun Naalaa-E-Bulbul Ko Beasar
Parde Men Gul Ke Laakh Jigar Chaak Ho Gae

[Naala = Lamentation, Chaak=slit/torn ]

Puuchhe Hai Kyaa Vajuud-O-Adam Ahl-E-Shauq Kaa
Aap Apanii Aag Se Khas-O-Khaashaak Ho Gae

[Vajuud=existence; Adam=non-Existence/ life after death, Ahl= people , Khas-O-Khaashaak=destroyed]

Karane Gaye The Us Se Tagaaful Kaa Ham Gilaa
Kii Ek Hii Nigaah Ki Bas Khaak Ho Gae

[Tagaaful=negligence, Gilaa=complaint, Khaak=dust/ashes]

Is Rang Se Uthaaii Kal Us Ne ‘Asad’ Kii Naash
Dushman Bhii Jis Ko Dekh Ke Gamnaak Ho Gae

[Naash = distruction, Gamnaak=grief Stricken ]

- Mirza Ghalib

Listen to this lovely ghazal sung by Lata Mangeshkar at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTxX7szDTg

Zindagi

Thandee ratoo ke thandey ehsason kee chup chup raat ke baad,
Subah kee gunguni dhoop, pankhdiyo par giri chamaktee os hai zindagi,
Bikhartey bichadtey rishto kee sameekaran see hai zindagee,
Yoon chamaktey maasom bacchey kee muskan see hai zindagee,
Kuch bhee kahee bhee nahee, phir bhee vasudhaiv kutumbkam hai zindagi.

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

Past by Ma Vera (see image information below)

जीवन में एक सितारा था
माना वह बेहद प्यारा था
वह डूब गया तो डूब गया
अंबर के आंगन को देखो
कितने इसके तारे टूटे
कितने इसके प्यारे छूटे
जो छूट गए फ़िर कहाँ मिले
पर बोलो टूटे तारों पर
कब अंबर शोक मनाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

जीवन में वह था एक कुसुम
थे उस पर नित्य निछावर तुम
वह सूख गया तो सूख गया
मधुबन की छाती को देखो
सूखी कितनी इसकी कलियाँ
मुरझाईं कितनी वल्लरियाँ
जो मुरझाईं फ़िर कहाँ खिलीं
पर बोलो सूखे फूलों पर
कब मधुबन शोर मचाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था
वह टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय का आंगन देखो
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं
जो गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

मृदु मिट्टी के बने हुए हैं
मधु घट फूटा ही करते हैं
लघु जीवन ले कर आए हैं
प्याले टूटा ही करते हैं
फ़िर भी मदिरालय के अन्दर
मधु के घट हैं,मधु प्याले हैं
जो मादकता के मारे हैं
वे मधु लूटा ही करते हैं
वह कच्चा पीने वाला है
जिसकी ममता घट प्यालों पर
जो सच्चे मधु से जला हुआ
कब रोता है चिल्लाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

- Harivansh Rai Bacchan

Image Information: This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ma_vera/2913934919/

Koshish karney walon kee...

Never give up by jferrer
( See image information below)

लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती, One doesn't cross the stream by being scared of the current
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।Those who try never loose

नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है, When a tiny ant carries little grains
चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है।She tries climbing on the walls, and fall hundred times
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है,Determination of mind gives courage to the body
चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है।And then, walking and stumbling, stumbling and walking doesn't hurt
आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती,Ultimately her hardwork is not wasted
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।Those who try never lose

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है, A swimmer takes a dip in the ocean
जा जा कर खाली हाथ लौटकर आता है।Again and again he comes back empty handed
मिलते नहीं सहज ही मोती गहरे पानी में, It is not easy to find pearls in deep water
बढ़ता दुगना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में।But in this struggle his determination doubles
मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती, His hand is not empty every time
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।Those who try never lose

असफलता एक चुनौती है, इसे स्वीकार करो, Failure is a challenge, accept it
क्या कमी रह गई, देखो और सुधार करो। Think what was lacking and improvise
जब तक न सफल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम,Until you are successful, give up comfort and pleasures
संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़ कर मत भागो तुम।Don't run from the playground of struggle
कुछ किये बिना ही जय जय कार नहीं होती,One is not praised without doing anything
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।Those who try never lose

- Harivansh Rai Bacchan

Resources: Listen to a beautiful recital of this inspiring poem at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eOMxLMvCpY

Image Information: This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jferrer/374456844/

बढ़े चलो

वीर तुम बढ़े चलो
धीर तुम बढ़े चलो
साथ में ध्वजा रहे
बाल दल सजा रहे
ध्वज कभी झुके नहीं
दल कभी रुके नहीं।
सामने पहाड़ हो
सिंह की दहाड़ हो
तुम निडर,हटो नहीं
तुम निडर,डटो नहीं
वीर तुम बढ़े चलो
धीर तुम बढ़े चलो
प्रात हो कि रात हो
संग हो न साथ हो
सूर्य से बढ़े चलो
चन्द्र से बढ़े चलो
वीर तुम बढ़े चलो
धीर तुम बढ़े चलो

-द्वारिकाप्रसाद माहेश्वरी
(1916 - -1998)

Sitaron se ulajhta ja raha hoon

Sitaron se ulajhta jaa raha hun
Shab-e-furqat bahut ghabra raha hun

Tere gam ko bhi kuch bahla raha hun
Jahaan ko bhi samjhaa raha hun

Yaqin ye hai haqeeqat khul rahi hai
Gumaan ye hai ki dhokhe khaa raha hun

Agar mumkin ho le le apni aahat
Khabar do husn ko main aa raha hun

Haden husn--o-ishq ki milakar
Qayamat par qayamat dhaa raha hun

Khabar hai tujhko ai zabt-e-mohabbat
Tere haathon mein lut ta ja raha hun

Asar bhi le raha hun teri chup ka
Tujhe kaayal bhi karta jaa raha hun

Bharam tere sitam kaa khul chuka hai
Main tujhse aaj kyon sharma raha hun

Tere pehlu mein kyon hota hai mehsus
Ki tujhse dur hota jaa raha hun

Jo uljhi thi kabhi aadam ke haathon
Vo gutthi aaj tak suljha raha hun

Mohabbat ab mohabbat ho chali hai
Tujhe kuch bhultaa-saa jaa raha hun

Ye sannata hai mere paav ki chaap
'Firaq' apni kuch aahat paa raha hun

Firaq Gorakhpuri

Love not me for comely grace..

Love not me for comely grace,
For my pleasing eye or face;
Nor for any outward part,
No, nor for my constant heart:
For those may fail or turn to ill,
So thou and I shall sever.
Keep therefore a true woman's eye,
And love me still, but know not why;
So hast thou the same reason still
To doat upon me ever.

John Wilbye

Resources : Learn more about the poet at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilbye