Poetry interspersed with emotions and skill

This collection of poetry is a lively and stylish discovery of its title ‘Mazaaj’. The book is quite ocean-like to be sure, meandering through a large variety of pearls. Emotions jostle with meticulous craftiness and this is one of the cornerstones of Khalid Iqbal Yasir’s poetry:

Puraana din hee agla hai nia kia hai

Faqat ek saal badla hai nia kia hai

Yahan hai zindgi yasir kisi ka honay mein

Buri sahi kisi apnay ki nokri kartay

Dipped in originality, this poetry collection strips Yasir of any affectation and offers a perfect descriptive conciseness. It delights because of Yasir’s poetic skills, his narrative of decency and civility truly suited to poetic structure:

Minnat na ki sooraj se nikal aanay ki main ne

Es teergi mein raasta jugnu se nikala

Seekha hee na tha youn rond kay aagay ko nikalna

Rasta jo nikala bhi tu pehloo se nikala

He dares to dream big, pursues his passions, and finds innovative ways to write despite having the odds heaped against him. Offering an unflinching truth, some of his verses do smooth talking:

Wohee kaayee wohee tehra hua paani

Wohee talaab gadla hai nia kia hai

Wohee aabaadian zairay khatay gurbat

Wohee sahib ka bangle hai nia kia hai

Wohee Yasir khumaaray danayay gundum

Wohee aadam hai ghalla hai nia kai

Yasir’s poetry was not written as it arrived but he meticulously worked at it. His verses marry poetics and straightforward approach. This is an interesting method, but the poet steers clear of the technical aspects of it in favor of a more direct approach. Balancing the emotional with touches of pragmatism he has made his poetry dimensions diverse and multipurpose for all readers:

Na jaanay kaisy kisi roz jee kara kar kay

Dekhanay ko saray mehfil salam os ne kia

Chahay kitnay hee zamanay houn kahan bhooltay hain

Zaghm taaza kay puraanay houn kahan bhooltay hain

Mra yeh zarf keh tuj par yaqeen naheen toota

Tri taraf se tu dil mein gumaan kayee aayay

His poetry achieves a balance of wit and language mastery. It offers something for all poetic appetites and also includes longer pieces, making for an enjoyable reading of his lilting poetry:

Koi na tha magar aisa laga mujay Yasir

Abhi abhi koi mojood tha yahan meray paas

Woh aik baat hai jeenay ka aasra yasir

Kisi ne dil se kahi ya rawaravi mein kahi

Bohat choraya tha main nein daaman

Magar woh peechay hee par gayay thay

The poet seems to approach and tackle his poetry with great forethought, practice, and mastery of skill. There is a strategy to the poetry, which is evident in the careful application of poetic techniques. This poetry collection also has a hint of experimentation as well. The beauty of the book’s design, as well as the writing prowess, makes for a poignant collection:

Aamoun pe boor aaya

Dil mein fatoor aaya

Guzra wahan se jab bhi

Ruk kar zaroor aaya

At times, Yasir portrays a kind of dialogue of impressions and remarks upon what he sees. A number of pieces seem oversimplified. This book moreover has poetic expressions that deliver powerful statements on matters personal and political. The vitality of the poetry is undeniable and it has a loud sense of inevitability to have been written:

Dast basta hee raha shah kay hazoor

Abb koi din baadshahat bhi milay

Agar jodaayee younhee rahay gi draar aisi

Yeh zindgi kis tarah katay gi pahar aisi