I was walking around downtown in a rather old part of the city (lets just say somewhere in North America) where graffiti and other public artworks (wanted or unwanted) seem to crop up with regularity. Of course, my own politics/opinions about graffiti are mixed since a part of me thinks its urban art and expression while another part of me believes it to be a form of vandalism. However, I can not help but have a reaction to it and a part of the reaction to this particular picture formed a rather weak ghazal in my head that I present below.
جہانِ فن میں تیرا کردار ہے کیا؟
دیکھ تو سہی نوشتہِ دیوار ہے کیا
What is your role
In this world filled with art
Take a look
At the writing on the wall
اپنی دولت پے تو اِتراتا ہے کیا؟
جب نہیں عشق مستیِ پندار ہے کیا؟
Is it your wealth
That makes you proud?
If you have no drive in your heart
Then its your ego which intoxicates you
نہ گھبرا عشق کی افسردگی سے تو
دلِ رنجیدہ کوئی مردار ہے کیا؟
And be not afraid
If your soul is gloomy
A sad heart
Can yet be revived
تیرے نام سے ہی تو عزت ملی ہمیں
کون جانے تیرا نام بردار ہے کیا
If I got any respect
It was due to the glory of your name
Who knows
Where your name bearer ranks
نگاہ پرعزم تو دل میں خوفِ جفا
استاد جاتا ہے کوئے یار ہے کیا؟
He looks firm
But fears being hurt
Is he going towards
His lovers house?
پرچمِ ہاشمی و حسینی جس کے ہاتھ
تونہی بتا رتبہِ عباس علمدار ہے کیا؟
The signs of Hashim and Hussain
Were given to him
Go ahead and tell me
The rank of Abbas
