I found a withered rose in one of my books. It’s fragrance was still alive. It evoked forgotten memories that now make me smile.
One of my favourite ghazals, beautifully rendered by Mehdi Hassan…
Ab ke hum bichRe to shaayad kabhi khwaaboN meiN mileiN
Jis tarah sookhe huye phool kitaaboN meiN mileiN
dhoonDe uJde huye logon meiN wafa ke moti
ye khazane tuJhe mumkin hai kharaboN meiN mileiN
tu khuda hai na mera ishq faristoN jaisa
dono insaaN haiN to kyoon itne hijaaboN meiN mileiN
gham-e-duniya bhi gham-e-yaar meiN shaamil kar lo
nashaa badh-ta hai sharaabein jo sharaabon meiN mileiN
Aaj hum dar peh kheenche gay jin baaton par
Kya ajab kal woh zamaane ko nisaabon meiN mileiN
ab na wo meiN hooN, na tu hai, na wo maazi hai faraz
jaise do saaye tamaana ke saraabON meiN mileiN
- Ahmed Faraz
