यकसाँ

रिवायात है के शजर न बने कोई पौधा इस बाग़-ए-नाज़ी में

मुनज़्ज़म है तरतीब-ए-तख़य्युल भी इस अंजुमन-ए-"हांजी" में

लाज़िम नहीं की हो महक, बस पुरकशिश हो हर गुल-ओ-पंखुड़ी

शाखें तवील-ओ-वसी सोंच की, बस के मंज़र था कभी माज़ी में

हो रंग लाखों दिलक़श ज़माने में लेकिन फर्मान है के ए मालि

अबके बौना सिर्फ़ गेरुआ, जो है मुहिब्ब-ए-वतन अब मानी में

- ऋतुराज

Two sets of thoughts here. One for the kind of sociopolitical creatures we have become , and second one is about nature...Trees.

Mankind has cut millions of trees destroyed grasslands throughout the history and more so recently after modern industrial revolution. He does plants trees in gardens, parks, and as part of agriculture.

In gardens, it is just for more of amusement. Only small shrubs.

When I saw some planted semi-grown trees few days back while on a bus travel, it scene of perfectly arranged shrubs came across as if these trees represent human beings of today.

Like an obedient slave they are told to stand where they are. Equidistant from one another. Why? Because it looks nice.

Nice to the owner of the land, and to guests who visit garden. If we assume that trees do have emotions, how would they feel? Isn't it same situation in a totalitarian state or politically nondemocratic country? Everyone stands in a line. Doctors opine it looks good . Helps in matters of law and order. Same way a farmer would say it increases the yield, and a Gardner might tell the more inline and organized they are , more the visitors to the garden. But what about the connect which people have with each other? Their individual and social aspirations? It is not just about freedom of speech but individuality, a sense or awareness of not following the unnatural laws blindly. Sense of being awake, helping, imperfectly unique and human.

Do trees rue the same?

किसी का हुक्म है इस गुलिस्तां में, बस अब एक रंग के ही फूल होंगे,

कुछ अफसर होंगे जो ये तय करेंगे, गुलिस्तां किस तरह बनना है कल का.

यकीनन फूल यकरंगी तो होंगे,

मगर ये रंग होगा कितना गहरा कितना हल्का,

...ये अफसर तय करेंगे.

Javed Akhtar