Sher-o-Shayari with Rukhsana: Sangam

I've always been a fan of poetry. Doha's, shayari, great song lyrics; it all fascinates me. The amalgamation of beautiful Urdu and Hindi words together make for literature that is simply orgasmic. It's taken me years of reading, learning and understanding shayari before I myself could gather the courage to actually put pen to paper and actually write my first sher. I also figured, since I wanted to write shayari, I needed a very Urdu infused shayarana name. After some research, it was my father who found and christened me with a very apt sher-o-shayari alias: Rukhsana. And it looks like it was meant to be; Rukhsana happens to have the same meaning as Roshni: brightness.

So here is my first sher titled Sangam. I'm a diehard romantic at heart so naturally my first attempt had to be a stab at love. Please feel free to let me know what you think but keep in mind, this is just the beginning. I have full faith that my sher-o-shayari will only improve with time and practice.

Here's presenting: Sangam by Rukhsana.

           Sangam

Anjaan rahon mein aap mil gaye,

dekhte hi dekhte aap tum ban gaye.

Baaton mein, Ishaaro mein,

Hum aap se jurr gaye.

Aap ko na khabar humare ehsaas ki,

Aap ko na khabar humare jaazbaato ki.

Jab koi humse pooche, Aap humare hai kaun,

Nazarein chura ke, Palke jhukha ke,

Humne kahan, Sab kuch.

Un anjaan rahon ki na koi dosh,

Jab dil ne yeh khata ki.

Koi nahin se sab kuch, Yeh kab hua,

Pata nahin.

- Rukhsana 

I am Invictus...

I love a good poem. They're terribly underrated nowadays. It's like people have forgotten what a good poem can do for your and your soul. Some infuse love while others ooze inspiration. Post watching the amazing Invictus, after which my admiration for Nelson Mandela, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon increased and how, I felt a slight inclination to read the poem by William Ernest Henley. And its not a poem you read once and forget. It lingers. You can't help but sit and attempt to dissect or put into perspective what the poet was trying to say. Personally, it applies to the readers life depending on their current frame of mind, circumstances and so on, but even then after reading the poem, you are charged with emotion and raring to go.

Invictus - William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years Finds,
and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The word "invictus" itself is Latin for "undefeated". The poem applies to my life in a number of ways. Definitely has become of my favorites and I will look to it when I feel life is misbehaving.