I do not remember, I do not forget.

I do not remember the promises you made
Or the three carat engagement ring you spent your twelve years' savings on
I do not remember the wedding wows or
the honeymoon sunset cruise
I do not remember our first house with the patio
the breathtaking view of the lake or the boat you got me for my birthday
I do not remember the model of our convertible or the James Beard dinner on our fifth anniversary
I do not remember the orchids you flew in from Venice
or that one time when we spontaneously hopped on a private jet to the islands.
But...
I do not forget that when the pasta I made had no salt
you ate with a smile and licked the bowl clean
I do not forget that when I twisted my ankle walking in stilettos
you promptly sat down on the floor
in your Tux and rubbed it till it hurt no more
I do not forget when I had four AM flights, you stayed up those nights
just to hold me one more time
just to smile me goodbyes
I do not forget when I kept rubbing my eyes that November
you tied up my fingers, we laughed till forever.
I do not forget when I saw my first gray hair
such a hue and cry I raised
and you shared in my mock despair
I do not forget when it was cold, when it was snowing
you agreed in my delusion that my summer plants were growing
I do not forget when they came down and took me
when they said in this cell there was a strict no visitors policy
you still came everyday and stood by the tall iron gates
I do not forget how you always stayed.
I do not forget how you always stayed.

Butter & a Revolving Door

I do not miss you like the ocean waves crashing on the sands
or the pied cuckoo that longs for the rain
I do not miss you like snow-less mountain peaks in winter
Or like music and lyrics,
or like poppies and pain
I do not miss you like a loveless marriage
Or a funeral home's silence and lack of compassion.
Like fresh dew drops on green grass
like sprightly daisies in a field of dandelions
like red roses and baby's breath
like bluebells and peonies
like the weary desert traveler in search of oases
I do not miss you like blue empty vases.
Or unknown cities of unknown trespasses.
I do not miss you like the Fifth symphony and the piano
Or broken guitar strings from summers long ago
I miss you like yellow
like water bottles
I miss you like revolving doors
And like butter on waffles. 

Piya tum mujhse door rehna

Piya tum mujhse door rehna.
khush rehna par door rehna.
Darkhwaast hai ye mere dil ki, 
par sunai deti kuch maghroor hai.
jaanti hun tum kahoge, 
phir se chhaya mujhpe koi fitoor hai
zillaton ki aandhiyon mein har baar tootna bikharna
phir unhi bhikhre tukron ko bator kar sambhalna
maachis ki teeliyon pe har bar apna ghar banana
aur ansoo-on se bheegi palkon pe naye sapne phir sajaana
har diwali, har holi pe paas hoke bhi door hona
duniya ke reeti-riwaazon se har waqat majboor hona
kehte hai jitni tadap ho, kahaani utni hee mashoor hoti hai
Heer-Ranjha,Suhni-Mehar,Mirza-Sahiban..
Aur bhi nyochhavar hui, kitni jawaaniyan, kitne hoor, hai na?
sunayi saza umr kaid ki, phir muskura ke bole piya - "manzoor hai na?"
aisi berukh zindagi ko ab maut bhi lagti noor hai na.
Tumhaare saath saath ab tumhaara Khuda bhi hai majboor,
bolo Khuda bhi ab majboor hai na?