FIND IT DIFFICULT
I find it difficult how dreams decay,
In a world where learning's lost its way.
Marks and ranks are the only goal,
Crushing the fire within the soul.
Children march to a hollow tune,
Bound by the clock, from dawn to noon.
The light of wonder dims and fades,
In crowded rooms and shadowed grades.

I find it difficult how hearts don't break,
Seeing the joy they daily take.
The system thrives, but at what cost?
A million minds, their purpose lost.
Can we not teach with love and care,
A world where each child feels repair?
Oh, if only we’d open our hearts and see,
What education was meant to be.

-

Manifesting a partner,
crazy enough
To watch the first movie, the first show.

Listen to his songs, make every moment bright,
In KKR matches, our love takes flight.

Two SRK fans, speaking one language true,
In this madness of love, our bond will grow .

-

Be a Helping Hand

In nature's world, we see a sight,
Where creatures help each other, day and night.
The bees pollinate, the birds take flight,
And the trees provide shade, a wondrous sight.

So too should humans, with hearts so bright,
Help those in need, with all their might.
For emotions are what make us human too,
And empathy is what sets us anew.

But in recent times, it seems we've strayed,
From showing love and kindness every day.
We're caught up in our own little worlds,
And forget to lend a helping hand, or words.

But let's not forget, we're all connected too,
Like the threads of a tapestry, anew.
So let's weave a fabric of kindness and care,
And help those in need, with love and with prayer.

For in giving, we receive, it's true,
And in helping, our hearts are renewed anew.
So let's be like nature, and help each other thrive,
And show the world, we're alive, and we care, and we're alive!

-

"Journey of Hearts"

In a town where dreams take flight,
Lived a girl with eyes so bright.

Amongst the crowd, she found her kin,
In classmates' laughter and talks new worlds begin.
Picnics, excursions, under skies so blue,
With each adventure, friendships grew.

Hand in hand they all volunteered,
As hearts united, fears disappeared.
Days filled with stories, laughter, and cheer,
Building bonds to hold them near.

Teachers are wise, with words so kind,
They're the guiding souls and expanding minds.
In classrooms echoing with knowledge and learning's call,
They stood tall, inspiring one and all.

But time is relentless, marches on,
Leaving behind memories fondly drawn.
To friends and mentors, she sends her love,
May blessings rain from skies above.
Though paths diverge, and journeys cease,
Their spirits dwell in hearts at peace.

So here's to the journey
For in this tale of hearts

-

NEVER LET YOU GO
My day begins with you ,
Like the sun that shines ; bright .
My night ends with you,
Just the way moon shimmers .
When I first saw you ,
Felt like I had known you forever .
I always want us ,
To be our strength ,
Whenever we are weak .
Always speak ,
Our hearts out.
Even when we can't find words .
You are the ,
Warmth of the winter sun .
So comfortable to be with .
Millions of stars up in the sky ,
One shines brighter ,
And it's you for me .
Feels like, a love so precious , a love so true .
Love that comes from "me to you" .
You make me glow .
Life's so right .
Through every season,
Even with thousands of reasons ,
I'll never let you go .
© SHABNAM HAFIZ

-

MY GRANDMOTHER AT NINETY
My grandmother at ninety .
Has glamour of her wrinkled old face .
Had so much of fun and craze .
Always embraced ,
everyone .
Knew how to refresh ,
Our minds and souls .
Makes me smile instead of frown .
She fertiles our deeds ,
Motivates us in our way .
My grandmother at ninety ,
Knows gender equality .
Tells everyone " My grandson and granddaughter has equal ability " .
She didn't study in school .
Still so cool !!
Better than educated fools .
Me and my grandma ,
always get along .
We sing ,we dance ,
We click selfies .
And do all freaky activities .
Her words are thread ,
that binded us together .
My grandma is my friend .
My roommate ,my wallmate .
I'll cherish these memories ,
And all things we share .
I fear ,
Of losing my grandma
Ahhh!! It brings pain .
- Shabnam Hafiz

-

The girl in blue,
Having no clue
Of society
Society where,
Girls are "laaz"
Here, marrying a virgin,
Is necessity.
Man, not being a virgin,
Is a sign of "Mardangi".
A girl might be raped,
On streets,
Just like,
Nirbhaya , Asifa and Priyanka.
Culprits and victims
Both are girls.
A society, where.
A raped victim or sexually harassed gets rejected ,
But, "Bhabis"seems hot.
Mother of two seems sexy.
You, the girl in blue.
Don't pick the red hots.
Might call you a slut.
To fulfill men's " Hawaas".
They are sluts, whore and many more..

-

PEARL
Your daughters.,
Are meant to be slaughtered.
Mentally, emotionally, physically
I'm a girl,
Your sons are pearl.
Your sons are strong.
Physically, mentally, emotionally.
Your daughters are weak.
I'm a girl, I get
Rules and regulations,
Do's and don'ts
As my birth certificate.
I'm not safe in my mother's womb
Or even in my own home.
Whom do I blame?
If I blame, I don't have shame.
Cause freedom is my birth right,
If I seek my rights.
I'm disrespectful, bad mannered.
Truths are bitter,
Maybe a bit.
It may hit.
Your heart.
But Remember,
Being a girl,
I too can be your pearl.

-

It's my story,
Story of my life,
History of my life.
You never read it.
Never heard of it.
Beginning just like sea waves.
Discovering new things,
New people, new taste.
Experiencing good and bad.
Like the spring.
He entered in my life.
I tried, did everything for him,
To save our relationship at any cost.
To be with him.
And he left, just like autmn.
Life showed me worst side of the world.
At that point,
Suicide seemed only solution.
I was living in hell.
But, I know my story,
My truth.
And so I smile,
Walk away from toxic people.
I stepped away,
Out of that place, that race.
I found my own lane,
I'm happy.
Don't even care of my image, in society.
Cause, I know my truth, my story.
God knows my truth, my story.

-

तू आया भी था,
हवा की तरह ,
जाने अनजाने में ,
मेरी ज़िन्दगी मौ ।
खाने मैं नमक न हो तो ,
जो बेकार से खाना बनते है ,
वेसे ही था हमारा रिस्ता ,
रिस्ता तो था पर बिना प्यार के ।
प्यार तो था पर ,
एक तरफा ।
तू आया था ,
परचिम में सूरज की तरह
मेरे ज़िन्दगी से डर के रात ,
को मिटाने ।
तू तो मौसम की तरह ,
कुछ महीनों में , अपना रंग बदल डाला ।
चला भी गया तो हवा की तरह ,
जब मुझे तेरी आदत लग गई ।
मेरी क़दर भी होगी ,
जिसदिन टेरिवाली तूझे दूसरी रूप दिखाईगी ।
मेरी आंसू की कीमत भी तू चुकाएगा
जिसदिन मेरी औकात देखेगी ।
पर हम इतने भी बुरे नही ,
के तेरी खुशी के लिए दुआ न करे ,
दिल मेरा साफ़ है ।
इसीलिए तेरे गुनाह माफ़ है।

-