This Night—a Ghazal Poem by Maaz Bin Bilal

First Published on Vayavya


Many a memory at stake this night.
Do you think of me too, awake, this night?

Shahid stares at me from the book cover.
As I tempt a ghazal to fake this night.

The moon in the sky and I in my bed.
I wish I too could turn a rake this night.

This monsoon, with my tears, the driest ever.
Would your tears for me form a lake this night?

So much water has flown under the bridge.
Why do you not give me a break this night?

Gave even the echoes of my best poems.
Would I not get one word, to take this night?

One law shouldn't apply to men and lovers.
Will there be born another Blake this night?

Lord made Meraj long, so to travel seven skies.
It appears the same God did make this night.

"Ripeness is all" and all time passes.
So too is dawn about to break this night.

Ghalib-o-Faiz couldn't drown grief in ghazals.
Then what spires, O Maaz, will you shake this night?