fumed
fragrance far
from imagination's grasp
fills the life's empitness
flowers the spring amidst fall.

© Ali Ashraf

A madman doesn't need to wander
in jungles and desert sand
he carries the raving madness
within his chest, within himself

his shirt torn, his heart ripped
his eyes shedding tears of blood
his repute lost, his senses gone
he stands there proclaiming to be God

such is the ecstasy of true love
such a state of a lover can be
he wanders seven heavens within a glimpse
and puts the universe under his feet

© Ali Ashraf

under one roof
were the dreams,
was the beginning
when love was in bloom
under one roof
we loved and lived,
we touched and kissed,
we laughed with kids
under one roof
but then we strayed
from the dreams we saw
the boundaries we laid
under one roof
but we try to compromise
even when love dies
and the worse times arrive
under one roof
and I may have wronged
but I still long
to have a strong bond
under one roof
so please for our family's sake
the future of kids is at skate
let us happily stay
under one roof

© Ali Ashraf

I said to love "i want to see you"
Love said "see me in veil"
I said to love "but it is veil not you"
Love said "then what you seek is veil not me"

I said to love "I want to see you"
Love said "you don't have the strength"
I said to love "try me"
I have ceased to exist since then

© Ali Ashraf

does the man fear
that he might disappear?
I have gone there
to the unknown
when the ringed bell rings
in the drowsy lane of desire
my chest torn apart
my heart entrapped
taken beyond heavens
through the holy gates
of sweet slumber
that much I do remember
the rest I have forgotten

© Ali Ashraf

I have travelled so much,
so much that my feet
have become sore
still, I yearn for more.

when will end this quest?
how much more will I search?
what is this thirst that I have?

I don't know
where I am going
I don't know
who I am anymore
I don't know
how will I reach there
and I don't even know
what I am looking for.

© Ali Ashraf

those who are repelled
by your face
won't be inspired
by your words

just be true
to yourself
don't seek
their approval

even God
has haters
who do you think
you are?

just have faith
in yourself,
you can't impress
the whole world

© Ali Ashraf