mausam badale, na badale
hamen ummeed kee
kam se kam
ek khidakee to khulee rakhanee chaahie.
shaayad koee grhinee
vasantee resham mein lipatee
us vrksh ke neeche
kisee agyaat devata ke lie
chhod gaee ho
phool-akshat aur madhurima.
ho sakata hai
kisee bachche kee gend
bajaay anant mein khone ke
hamaare kamare mein andar aa gire aur
use lautaayee ja sake
devaasur-sangraam se lahooluhaan
koee boodha shabd shaayad
baahar kee thand se thithurata
kisee kavita kee halkee aanch mein
kuchh der aaraam karake rukana chaahe.
ham apane samay kee haaree hod lagaen
aur daanv par laga den
apanee himmat, chaahat, sab-kuchh –
par ek khidakee to khulee rakhanee chaahie
taaki haarane aur girane ke pahale
ham andhere mein
apane antim astr kee tarah
phenk saken chamakatee huee
apanee phir bhee
bachee rah gaee praarthana.