[ek pal]

Khushbuu hai vo to chhuu ke badan ko guzar na jaaye
jab tak mere vajuud ke andar utar na jaaye

(vajuud = existence)

Khud phuul ne bhii honTh kiye apane niim-vaa
chorii tamaam rang kii titalii ke sar na jaaye

(niim-vaa = half open; tamaam = whole/entire)
(titalii = butterfly)

is Khauf se vo saath nibhaane ke haq men hai
khokar mujhe ye laDakii kahiin dukh se mar na jaaye

(Khauf = fear)

palkon ko us kii apane dupaTTe se poNch duuN
kal ke safar men aaj kii gard-e-safar na jaaye

(gard = dust)

main kis ke haath bhejuuN use aaj kii duaa
qaasid havaa sitaaraa ko_ii us ke ghar na jaaye

Parveen Shakir