One Last Time

आज जब पिछले दो सालों को याद करती हूँ, 
हँसते हँसते आँखें हल्की सी नम हो जाती हैं

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
जिनसे अच्छे से बात नहीं की, उनसे मन जोड़ लूँ
जिनके साथ बहुत हँसी, थोडा़ और हँस लूँ
जिनसे अनबन हुई थी, उन्हें गले लगाकर नई शुरूआत कर लूँ

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
Lectures में सबके साथ थोड़ी और मस्ती कर लूँ
College के canteen में थोडा़ और खा लूँ
Professors की बातें और ध्यान से सुन लूँ

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
Hostel में रात भर बैठकर assignment कर लूँ
सबके लिए रात के दो बजे dominos से पाँच large pizza order कर दूँ
Guard से छुपकर boys block में दारू पी लूँ

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
Birthday boy पे आटा, बियर, surf, egg, shampoo डाल दूँ
सबके साथ party करने pub जाऊँ और बेसुरे गाने गाऊँ 
रात भर ना सो कर, सुबह college में उबासी लूँ

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
Snapchat के map में सबको एक साथ, एक ही जगह(uniworld) पर एक आख़िरी बार देख लूँ
Instagram पे group pics पे senti comments लिख दूँ
Whatsapp group पे आख़िरी बार सबको हँसति हुई emoji भेजते हुए देख लूँ

एक आख़िरी बार आज मन चाहता है कि उन पलों को एक बार और जी लूँ 
सबको हँस कर गले लगा लूँ
सबसे जुड़े रहने का वादा ले लूँ
सबकी हँसती तस्वीर अपने मन में save कर लूँ

आज जब पिछले दो सालों को याद करती हूँ, 
हँसते हँसते आँखें हल्की सी नम हो जाती हैं

© Priyanka Bajaj

तुम मेरे घर हो

जानते हो?
तुम मेरे घर हो।

माना तुम में मेरा पिंक कमरा नहीं है
पर पिंक कमरा तुम्हारे साफ़ दिल जितना सुकून भी नहीं देता।

तुम में मेरी अठखेलियों के लिए बाग़ीचा नहीं है
पर मेरी अठखेलियाँ हैं ही तुमसे।

स्वादिष्ट पकवान बनाने का रसोवड़ा नहीं है
पर तुम्हारी मीठी बातों से पेटभर जाता है।

सुनो,
तुम सिर्फ़ मेरे घर नहीं हो
मेरे घर के आँगन में बने मंदिर भी हो
तुम मुझे और मेरे ख़यालों को पवित्र रखते हो।

सुना है,
माँ के बिना घर, घर नहीं होता
लेकिन लाड़ तो तुम माँ सा ही करते हो।

कहते हैं,
घर हमारी रक्षा करता है
लेकिन तुम दूर रह कर भी मेरा ख़याल रखते हो।

मैं विदाई जैसे रीति रिवाज मानती नहीं
पर कभी हुई, तो चाहूँगी, तुम्हारे द्वारा हो मेरी विदाई।

हाँ, आँखें नम ज़रूर होंगी मेरी
लेकिन तुम वो घर हो जो मेरे पास आ सकता है
और मैं उसके पास जा सकती हूँ।
शायद इसलिए ज़्यादा दुख नहीं होगा।

जानते हो?
तुम मेरे घर हो।
तुम कुछ-कुछ मेरे प्रिय मित्र कृष्ण की तरह हो।

© Priyanka Bajaj

Hues of Blue

I have never lived in this room without you

Never have I ever felt these hues of blue

Like always, your bicycle stands still here

But your towel which hung on it, is not to be seen anywhere near

For the first time, I see your cupboard close

And no pile of shirts to toss

There is lot of space in the room to walk

Gone are your slippers, sports' shoes, formals and crocs

You filled all the water bottles before leaving

But there are no scoldings, which get me that water gulping

Your side of bed is clean like ever

But no sight of you, making hair, in front of mirror

For the first time, there is no movie on download, on my laptop, in forever

I miss your grooving, my crazy dancer

The A.C. is on at the temperature, you set

But nowhere are your hands to muffle me up under the blanket

Your speaker, today, is not playing any song

But my mind is screaming; for you, I long

Never have I felt such emptiness in this room

Never have I felt anything, but love, in this room

I have never lived in this room without you

Never have I ever felt these hues of blue

© Priyanka Bajaj

Un Año Juntos

As I lay here and see you making your hair

I think of our one year of bond and give you an awestruck stare

If this is a dream, I want to be pinched

In every possible world, to you I want to be hitched

From our late night talks

To your never ending dedicating romantic songs stock

From sharing my food out of formality

To "I don't share my food" is reality

We have have known each other, everyday, a little more

Like you take more time to get ready than I, which I adore

Your arms are my perfect snug

And mine for you, when you are scared of a bug

I'd protect you throughout

No matter what

Even at war

I'd take a shot

I'd take a bullet from the enemy's gun

Just to save you, my precious one

You are an epitome of love to me

Your dedication like Krishna's to Rukmini

I will love you today and tomorrow

I will never let you go from my heart

I know nothing can come in between us

Nothing and no one can tear us apart.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Remember Why You Started?

"This is the end",

Yells my mind

The heart whispered to the mind,

"Remember why you started? To end?"

Your jokes became my memes,

In my memories, your laughing face still beams

You were the friend, I never intend to make,

But my fortune had its take

The music is playing on the stereo,

I wish you would bellow

What have I done that, now, you don't care,

I wish, someday you would stop by and clear the air

The cold silence that we share,

It hurts me dearly to know that, you are not there

I hope we reunite before it's too late,

I wish cosmic powers change our friendship's fate

I miss you man, can't you come back,

You were loved, didn't you know that

"This is the end",

Yells my mind

The heart whispered to the mind,

"Remember why you started? To end"

© Priyanka Bajaj

When the dusk falls

Often I am alone with my loneliness

Peeping out of the brown wooden window

A sparrow extracting ice from its nest

Thinking spring is not far behind

An owl sitting on a twig

Waiting for someone to arrive

Beyond the lane, I see woods

And I slip more into our memories

Your footprints on icey pathway are gone

I saw them last, an evening before you left

At the end of the woods the graveyard freshens the scene

I turn away to shudder

And you are there on your couch

I think of you all more

© Priyanka Bajaj

Her Warm Smile

The kid was more hungry,

She hid her hunger behind her warm smile

He was excitedly calling her loser,

She hid her deliberate defeat behind her warm smile

He relished hot chappatis,

She hid the cold ones behind her warm smile

He said, "you are so lucky to rest all day at home",

She hid exertion behind her warm smile

He was congratulated for his promotion,

She hid her efforts of investing her soul, time, life in making his home, behind her warm smile

He teased her in the streets,

On reaching home, she hid her hurt behind her warm smile

She lives more for others,

And burn her desires, hides it behind her warm smile

Her compassion touching sky and is grounded at heart,

Your well being and happiness is the reason behind her warm smile.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Three Words, He Didn't Say

You spoke to me about everything

Alas! One song, you didn't sing

You wrote letters and mails

Poems, verses, their long trails

You said I am beautiful

I became hopeful

You spoke about our love and care

But to say those three words, the time you didn't spare

I waited, I longed, I craved

Thinking someday you will say, that you have saved

Didn't you mention, "Without me, you can't stay"

Then why didn't you say, "let's run away"

©Priyanka Bajaj

Her Walk

Walking down the beach

She recalls her last visit

She was carried by him in peach

He made her a tiara, on her crown, that still sit

She took her steps in cross

Making trails of her and his footsteps

She walks the length and finds moss

Turning it into bracelets for old chaps

Looking behind, she notices shells

Put artistically on his footsteps by waves

She walks towards shore, hearing what sea tells

Sensing sea's intentions, her heart raves

Gushing waves come and touch her feet

To her, the sea wants to serve

"No matter how many times you touch my feet

I will never forgive you, as you engulfed my love."

© Priyanka Bajaj

I Knew A Girl

I knew a girl, who liked to draw

She drew the pictures, that nobody saw

She was most creative, late, at night

On the dark terrace, out of everybody's sight

She kept secrets, that nobody knew

She didn't tell a soul and her gallery grew

Her drawings were a twist

Her paintbrush was a blade and canvas, her wrist

Her friends were fake and her family let her bleed

Those, who ought to be her strength, made her bleak

One night, we met on a cliff, under the stars

I asked her, why?

She took off all her fancy bracelets, to reveal the scars

She felt embarrassed and looked down in her muse

Then, I rolled up my sleeves and said ," I draw too"

© Priyanka Bajaj

She Left Me

Those days feel like centuries ago,

That cliff sustained cold air

The only hideout of her from the selfish world

She didn't fear of getting hurt,

She didn't want to hurt.

How aesthetically she described life,

But The opposite way she was treated.

She said, that place, the cliff was safe

It was, yet, I asked her to move out and I'll be with her.

She peeped from the cliff

And left her solitude behind.

Many tried to snap her

Some, I could prevent, some, I could not

But I never left her alone.

I were all she had.

The world, once she was afraid of,

Did not haunt her anymore.

Yet, that cliff remained her favorite place.

She smiled, made others smile

She was happy, spread happiness

She became brave and inspired others

She even cried, and made others cry

By leaving the world, that she made beautiful for me.

I never left her, but she was gone.

I miss that cliff, I miss her.

© Priyanka Bajaj 

Travel Bliss

Initially, we travel to lose ourselves

We travel, next, to find ourselves.

We travel, not to escape,

But to live every phase.

Remember?

The journey, the train, the bus, the plane,

Eyes swaying in excitement,

because destination is not the only main.

Remember?

The unknown weather,

The situation out of comfort,

And to gain experience.

Remember?

To live by the currents of beach,

fill the lungs with cool breeze,

And follow the sun.

Remember?

To trek the highest hill,

Stand amidst the clouds,

And see the world.

Remember?

To walk endlessly in the woods,

To be lost in the right direction,

And embrace the stillness.

Remember?

To wander in the crowded streets,

Meet exotic people,

And devour local treats.

Remember?

To visit the city museums,

Get amazed by the history,

And take inspiration.

Remember?

The tropical culture,

To perceive their beliefs,

And learn to put faith. 

Remember?

The peace to follow your bliss,

All the places, traveled and untraveled,

We will surely miss.

Travelling turns us

Into a storyteller.

The best of the stories are found

In between the pages of passport.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Unread Letters

In a stack of unread letters

Joins another matter

Only if I opened my heart to you

No unread letter would have been in the queue

Yes I pen down our bond

Even before you met your dusk

Cause I didn't know, how to say

Nor did I know, you'll be taken away

I thought of leaving those letters beside your cushion

As you kept dollop of gift beside mine with affection

But you were gone in a moment

Like hypnic jerk in the sleep

Once I tried to read them to you

But you were in a condition, you didn't have a clue

I repent on never saying "I LOVE YOU"

Then I realize, this you already knew

The letters repose here, on my desk

Sealed forever, cause you are not coming back

And You didn't leave your trail behind

Where to post these letters, I can't find

Those letters are beaded from the day we met

To The way you developed love from hatred

To everything I didn't say but show

When words were silent and voice very low

The hand in hand on the cliff, we sat

To the hand in hand, when you last breathed

I didn't stop writing to you and tie a bow

There are many more letters coming in the row

I didn't mourn on your demise

Because there is going to reprise

One day our souls will again meet

And all those unread letters, I 'll make you read.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Amazing Meadow

Oh you glorious meadow,

Powers of whose unrevealed.

Souls of our, hold your shadow,

Just covering to be peeled.

Walk swiftly through the velvety grassland,

And commend the poise.

While don't be bothered of itchy hayland,

For one day we will again rejoice.

Stand still and listen to calm brook,

To feel the very existence of every bit.

For not to feel useless and dwell in nook,

As yielding will split.

Behold the nature of a dandelion,

Burning golden like our bruises days ago.

Flutter like airy umbrellas when blown,

For to let go hurt and accept bestow.

Feel like a butterfly, resting upon a flower,

Be a wanderer with the wanderlust,

To open up and sip the nectar,

For thriving life and it's crux.

Step in the meadow houses,

The burrow, the nest, the stable.

To adapt the turns posed,

For harmonizing change and be amicable.

Oh you surprising meadow,

In you, our lives are discovered.

We will forever listen to your mellow,

For the coming ways to be followed.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Today is almost yesterday

Today is almost yesterday

Tomorrow i'll be wiser

A part of soul I leave behind

A phase of wiser tomorrow is in the line

Fences put to the past

With a hope of euphoric future to last

Yesterday I tried to please others

Tomorrow I 'll please myself

Yesterday was a spree of weaknesses

Tomorrow shall be a wave of strengths

Yesterday I fell emotionally

Tomorrow i'll rise and shine

Yesterday I had head full of doubts

Tomorrow I 'll have a vibrant mood

Yesterday my plans failed

Tomorrow my success boat will sail

Memories will remain

Some for cherishing, rest for crumpling

Today is almost yesterday

Tomorrow I'll be wiser

© Priyanka Bajaj

Friends We Are. Friends We Will Be.

From the crap we talk

To the crushes we stalk

Together we are

Together we will be

From hogging till the the last bit

To borrowing every penny

Insane we are

Insane we will be

From riding four on 2 wheeler vehicle

To furiously breaking every signal

Rule breakers we are

Rule breakers we wil be

From exciting love's start up

To painful break up

Supporters we are

Supporters we will be

From falling on ground

To laughing in each other's face with no frown

Cheerful we are

Cheerful we will be

From the way we shop

To the looks very hot

Amazing we are

Amazing we will be

From fighting with every enemy

To celebrating the victory

A team we are

A team we will be

From mocking each other to embarrassment

To saving from harassment

Family we are

Family we will be

From every day meeting

To seldom greeting

Friends we are

Friends we will be

From being together all our youth

To promise of togetherness after life

Best friends we are

Best friends we will be

© Priyanka Bajaj

A Thread To God

In my soul,

There is a temple, a church,

a mosque, a shrine

For no specific name,

Just a place very divine.

In my soul,

There is respect, gratitude,

fondness, love

To you my Lord,

I beg to serve.

In my soul,

There is a faith, a trust,

a hope, a belief

Nothing less, nothing more, nothing else

My life will reap.

In my soul

There is a sense of belonging, dedication,

enthusiasm, commitment

I'll weave in faith,

God will find the thread.

In my soul,

There is a wish, a desire,

a thirst, an yearning,

To merge in God

My life's only learning.

© Priyanka Bajaj

Longing Meets

Upon the Bed of cold sand
How fair the sea shells lay

Calmer the night, lyrical the waves
In the vast solitude, retreating in the heart of coast

All day, all night
For longing peace, extends to my whole life

I walked for miles along the shore
Writing hopeful verses and thought some more

Beneath the roof of silver sky,
As the nature spills ornaments of peace

Muffled sounds of mind dissolve in the gush of waves
As shadows from the darkness are evanesced

And the cool breeze cuddles my skin
Embosomed by the gratification, my bleeding heart heals

As my heart comes on the wind's trail
My life is embellished with peace veil

I let a sigh of relief
As my yearning for solitary relieve meets

© Priyanka Bajaj

Devoted Love

It is heard, both sided love is perfect;

Her one sided unconditional love was perfection

It is believed, love hurts;

Only her soulmate's hardships are hurting

It is said, love is felt once and for all;

She feels as many times as her heart beats

It is judged, being in love is selfish;

To Refrain him from mourning on her death, 

she wishes to die after him

It is a rumour, we hate to love those who don't revert;

Being in love and staying in love is her enormous bliss.

It is assumed, expressing the love is most difficult;

She unleashed her soul to him, besides all the difficulties

It is inferred that such love fades with time;

Love sees no past, no future

If it was true, it lingers for whole lifetime

It is a fact, true love is divine;

Her devotion is divinity.

© Priyanka Bajaj

I AM CONTENT

I feel content

This life is short term,

I am content with every small thing it brings

I was ecstatic in school,

I feel content with working for living

I don't have three course meal,

I am content with supper, atleast I have something

I don't look as beautiful as I did,

I am content with my good health

I miss my friends,

I feel content with their seldom calls

I couldn't hold my dear one with me,

I am content with our memories

I cannot change bitter pieces of past,

I feel content with the truth of surviving it

I am unaware of what future has in store for me,

I feel content with my dreams.

© Priyanka Bajaj