Barhwan Khilari (The Twelfth Man)

(One of my all time favorite poem - from Iftikhar Arif)


barhwan khilari bhi 
 kiya ajab khilari hai 
 khel hota rehta hai 
 shor machta rehta hai 
 daad parti rehti hai
 aur woh alag sab se
 intezar karta hai 
 aik aisi sa'at ka
 aik aisay lamhey ka 
 jis main saniha ho jaaye 
 Phir woh khailne niklay 
 taaliyon ke jhurmat main 
 aik jumla-e-khush kun
 aik naara-e-tehseen 
 us kay naam ho ja'aye 
 Sab khilariyon kay saath 
 woh bhi moutabar ho ja'aye 


 tum bhi Iftikhar Arif 
 barhwain khilari ho
 intezar kartey ho
 aik aisay lamhey ka 
 aik aisi saa'at ka 
 jis main hadisa ho ja'aye 
 jis main saniha ho jaye