Khwab

Parveen Shakir

khule paniyon men ghiri ladkiyan

narm lahron ke chhinte udati hui

bat-be-bat hansti hui

apne khvabon ke shahzadon ka tazkira kar rahi thiin

jo khamosh thiin

un ki ankhon men bhi muskurahat ki tahrir thi

un ke honton ko bhi an-kahe khvab ka zaiqa chumta thaa!

aane vaale nae mausamon ke sabhi pairahan nilmin ho chuke the!

duur sahil pe baithi hui ek nannhi si bachchi

hamari hansi aur maujon ke ahang se be-khabar

ret se ek nanha gharaunda banane men masruf thi

aur main sochti thi

khuda-ya! ye ham ladkiyan

kachchi umron se hi khvab kyuun dekhna chahti hain

khvab ki hukmarani men kitna tasalsul raha hai!