[waheed ahmed]

Kuch Ishq Kiya, Kuch Kaam Kiya



woh log bahut khush kismat thay
jo ishq ko kaam samajhte thay
ya kaam se aashiqui karte thay
ham jeete’ji masroof rahe
kuchh ishq kiya, kuchh kaam kiya
kaam ishq ke aa’re aata raha
aur ishq se kaam ulajhta raha
phir aakhir tang aakar ham ne
dono ko adhoora chhor diya


Privileged were those, indeed
who thought of love as their business
or were in love with what they did.
I remained busy my whole life–
with some love, with some work.
Work came in the way of love
and love was often intertwined with work.
Then, finally, in antipathy, giving it all up,
I left them both, half done.