jangal mein
lagee rahee aag
lagaataar teen din, do raat
nikatavartee gufaavaala
baagh ka khaanadaan
visthaapit ho gaya
us jharane ke nikat
usakee gufa bhee
daavaanal ke chapet mein
aa gaee thee…
vo ab kidhar
bhatak raha hoga ?
raat ko nikalata hoga
poorvavat…
baaghin bechaaree
apane donon bachchon par
raat-din pahara detee hogee
madhyaraatri mein
aasapaas kee jhaadiyon ke
chakkar laga aatee hogee
zaroor hee jald vaapas hotee hogee
vaatsaly kya
us gareeb ka
sthaee bhaav na hoga
baagh lekin
saara-saara din
vaapas na aata hoga
haan, shikaar pa jaane par
phauran lautata hoga baagh !
(05.06.1985)