Tag: Nihshabd journal

I’ve Been Eighty Since I Was Eight

What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?

I stared at this prompt for a good five minutes, convinced my brain had simply forgotten something.

Then it hit me.

I’ve Been Eighty Since I Was Eight.

That’s the only answer this prompt gave me.

Surely there had to be something.

Bitter gourd? Early mornings? Silence? Staying home? Folding laundry?

Nope.

Maybe that was the answer.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized…

I couldn’t answer this prompt because the things I love today are the very things I loved as a child.

I’ve been suspiciously eighty years old since I was eight.

As a child, I loved hiding in a quiet corner with a notebook, doodling, writing stories, humming old melodies, and creating entire worlds that existed only in my head.

Apparently, my idea of fun has always been… unconventional.

And some things, apparently, never left me.

I still stop to admire butterflies in the garden.

I still collect pretty leaves because… well, someone has to appreciate them.

I still get embarrassingly excited when a rainbow appears, as if the sky made it just for me.

Apparently, I’ve been delightfully easy to please my entire life.

Some people outgrow these little joys.

I seem to have renewed my subscription every year.

I still get ridiculously excited by a blank page.

I can lose track of time while making something with my hands.

The smell of books still deserves its own perfume.

A beautiful sky can stop me mid-sentence.

A handwritten letter still feels more magical than a text message.

Growing up didn’t make me fall in love with these things.

It simply gave me permission to stop apologizing for loving them.

Maybe that’s adulthood.

Not discovering new passions…

But realizing the little “boring” things you loved all along were never boring at all.

Turns out, my younger self wasn’t strange.

She simply knew what made her happy.

Although…

The more I think about it, the less certain I am.

Was I really eighty years old when I was eight…

Or am I still eight at heart?

Because I still stop for butterflies.

I still smile at rainbows.

I still bring home pretty leaves.

I still think clouds tell stories.

I still believe the sky puts on a show just because someone remembered to look up.

Maybe I’ve spent my whole life being an old soul…

With the heart of an eight-year-old.

And honestly?

I hope that never changes.

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Until the next quiet thought,
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 30, 2026
My Gut Doesn’t Give TED Talks| A Poem About Trusting Your Gut

What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

“What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?”

You’d probably expect
one dramatic story.

A rainy evening.

A life-changing decision.

A perfect movie climax.

I’m sorry to disappoint you…

My gut doesn’t save me once in a lifetime.

It works overtime.

✦ When Logic Speaks, My Heart Listens ✦

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There is always a moment…

Just before life quietly asks,

“Are you sure?”

My brain immediately begins its presentation.

“You’re overthinking.”

“Don’t judge too quickly.”

“Give it another chance.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Meanwhile…

My gut doesn’t prepare slides.

It doesn’t quote philosophers.

It simply whispers,

“Hmm… something feels off.”

No proof.

No screenshots.

No eyewitnesses.

Not even a decent explanation.

Just an odd little feeling…

Like my heart somehow received tomorrow’s news
before the rest of me.

And honestly…

That tiny feeling has a better success rate
than all my overthinking combined.

✦ The Warnings No One Else Could Hear ✦

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I’ve met people
who looked like sunshine…

until they arrived carrying thunderstorms.

I’ve almost said “yes”
to things that looked exciting…

until something inside me quietly said,

“Not this one.”

I’ve changed plans at the last minute,
cancelled meetings,
walked away from conversations
without knowing why.

Every single time…

Life later revealed
the chapter I had unknowingly skipped.

The funniest part?

People ask,

“How did you know?”

I didn’t.

That’s the whole point.

If I had evidence,
it wouldn’t be intuition.

It would simply be common sense.

So yes…

There have been times
when I ignored that whisper.

Those chapters weren’t tragic.

Just… unnecessarily exhausting.

Sleepless nights.

Overthinking.

Conversations I should never have had.

Apologies I never owed.

Peace I willingly exchanged
for curiosity.

Turns out…

Curiosity may have killed the cat.

But ignoring my gut
nearly killed my peace.

✦ The Peace That Came From Listening ✦

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These days…

When that quiet voice arrives,

I don’t interrogate it.

I don’t demand logic.

I don’t ask for references.

Some truths
aren’t meant to be proven.

They’re meant to be trusted.

Because experience has taught me
something beautiful…

That whisper isn’t fear.

It isn’t negativity.

It isn’t pessimism.

It’s every lesson I’ve survived…

Every heartbreak…

Every disappointment…

Every mistake…

Quietly joining hands
to say,

“We’ve been here before.”

“Let’s not buy another ticket.”

So…

What’s a time I followed my gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

I wish I could tell you
just one story.

But I can’t.

Because it wasn’t one moment.

It was dozens of tiny moments
that never became disasters
simply because
I listened.

Maybe I’ll never know
what I escaped.

Maybe that’s the point.

Not every victory
comes with applause.

Some arrive quietly…

Looking exactly like
the problems
that never happened.

And if there’s one voice
I’ve learned to trust
without asking for proof…

It’s the one
that speaks the softest.

Because I’ve realized…

My gut was never trying to predict my future.

It was simply trying to protect my peace.

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Trust the quiet voice. It has been rooting for you all along. 🤍

Love,
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 29, 2026
A Smile Woven Through Silent Pain | Nihshabd

लबों पर मुस्कान सजा ली, आँखों को ख़ामोश रहने दिया,
हर दर्द को लफ़्ज़ न मिले… कुछ ज़ख्मों को बस जीने दिया।

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जो बिखरा था, उसे समेटने में कई मौसम गुज़र गए,
अब ख़ुद से मिलने लगे हैं… तो लोग कहते हैं, बदल गए।

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अब कोई ग़म दस्तक भी दे, तो मुस्कुराकर दर खोलते हैं,
कुछ दर्द मेहमान नहीं होते… उम्रभर साथ ही चलते हैं।

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चेहरे पर जो सुकून दिखता है, वो यूँ ही नहीं आया है,
बहुत कुछ ख़ामोशी से खोया है… तब जाकर ख़ुद को पाया है।

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अब आँसू कम और दुआएँ ज़्यादा निकलती हैं,
शायद टूटे हुए दिल ही… सबसे ख़ूबसूरत दुआ करते हैं।

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मुस्कुराना अब आदत नहीं, रूह की तहज़ीब बन गया है,
जो दर्द कभी मेरी पहचान था… आज वही मेरा नसीब नहीं, मेरा सबक़ बन गया है।

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I taught my lips to smile, So my eyes wouldn’t have to explain. Not every wound asks for a voice… Some are meant to be carried in silence.

It took a lifetime of quiet storms To gather the pieces of who I was. Now that I’ve found my way back to myself, The world simply calls it change.

Grief still visits from time to time, But it no longer feels like a stranger. Some sorrows never leave your heart… They simply learn to breathe more gently.

If you see peace upon my face, Know that it wasn’t gifted to me. It was stitched together From every goodbye I survived in silence.

My eyes have forgotten how to plead, My heart has remembered how to pray. Perhaps only those who have been broken Learn to bless without asking for anything in return.

A smile is no longer an expression I wear. It is the grace I chose over bitterness. The pain that once wrote my story Now merely turns its pages.

Because healing isn’t the absence of pain…
It’s the quiet courage to carry it beautifully. 🤍

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कुछ एहसास कहे नहीं जाते…बस लिखे जाते हैं।

शब्दों में शब्‍द — निःशब्द
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 28, 2026
Which Languages Do I Speak?

How Living in Different States Shaped My Life

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

Which Languages Do I Speak?

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I’ve lived in different states and picked up bits of different languages along the way—like collecting pretty shells on a beach. Some I kept, some I misplaced, and some are probably hiding somewhere in my memory, waiting to be found.

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Hindi is my comfort zone. It’s the language my heart reaches for when it’s happy, upset, excited, or simply in the mood to talk endlessly. It’s the language of family conversations, childhood memories, and countless cups of tea shared over stories. When I need to express my feelings without searching for the right words, Hindi is usually the first language that comes to my rescue.

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English has been a faithful companion in my reading, writing, and learning adventures. It has introduced me to wonderful books, new ideas, and people from different walks of life. We don’t always agree on spellings or pronunciations, but somehow, we’ve made the friendship work.

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Telugu keeps me connected to my roots. It carries memories of home, family traditions, and the familiar comfort of belonging. It quietly reminds me where I come from, even when I occasionally fumble over a word or two.

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The funny thing is, living in different places taught me that communication isn’t just about language. A smile, a nod, expressive hand gestures, and confidence can get you surprisingly far.

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Living in different states did more than add a few words to my vocabulary. It introduced me to different cultures, traditions, food, and ways of looking at life. Every move taught me how to adapt, connect, and find a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places.

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I may not speak every language fluently—in fact, some languages and I are still in a long-distance relationship—but I’ve learned to appreciate different cultures and find common ground with people wherever I go. The biggest impact wasn’t becoming multilingual; it was becoming more open-minded. My world became bigger, my conversations richer, and my life far more interesting than if I had stayed in just one place.

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So, which languages do I speak?

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A little Hindi, a little English, a little Telugu… and a lot of human.

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And after all these years, I’ve learned that people rarely remember whether you spoke perfectly. They remember how you made them feel.

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That’s a language everyone understands. ❤️✨

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With stories gathered from many places and words borrowed from many languages,

—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 24, 2026
Dear Younger Human | Nihshabd

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

Dear younger human,

Don’t rush to grow up.
Adulthood is mostly opening the fridge,
staring into it dramatically,
and closing it without taking anything.

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Wear the clothes.
Use the fancy notebook.
Save some money, yes
but don’t save your happiness for “someday.”

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Take photos with the people you love.
One day you’ll zoom in and realize
the background matters less
than the faces beside you.

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Don’t waste years trying to be liked by everyone.
Even pizza has haters,
and pizza is doing just fine.

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Your mistakes won’t ruin your life.
They’ll just become funny stories
you’ll tell with unnecessary hand gestures later.

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Learn to leave places
where your peace pays the bill
for someone else’s comfort.

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And please, drink water.
Half your life problems are emotions,
the other half is dehydration pretending to be emotions.

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Most importantly

Stop waiting to become perfect
before you start living.

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Life isn’t an exam with invigilators.
It’s more like assembling furniture without instructions—

confusing, slightly crooked,
and somehow still useful.

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So laugh often,
love deeply,
and remember:

the adults you admire today
were once teenagers too—
equally confused,
just with less back pain.

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Signed,
Someone older, wiser,
and still opening the fridge
as if a solution to life
might have appeared since the last visit.

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Still learning, still laughing,
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 23, 2026
Who Inspires Me? | Finding Inspiration in Everyday People

Who are you most inspired by?

Who Inspires Me?

People often ask,

“Who inspires you the most?”

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As if I keep a secret list

folded inside my handbag

between old receipts and emergency chocolates.

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The truth?

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I am inspired by everyone.

Yes, everyone.

The successful teach me ambition.

The unsuccessful teach me patience.

The talkative teach me endurance.

And the quiet ones teach me

that silence can win arguments too.

Some inspire me by what they do.

Others inspire me by providing

a very detailed guide on what not to do.

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Life is generous that way.

But if there is one group

that leaves me constantly amazed,

it is women.

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Women who fight battles

while answering phone calls.

Women who carry worries

in one hand and grocery bags in the other.

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Women who hold families together

using little more than love,

determination,

and occasionally a threatening look.

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They bend,

they stretch,

they adapt,

and somehow keep going.

Honestly,

if resilience were an Olympic sport,

women would politely collect the gold medal,

organise the ceremony,

serve snacks,

and still apologise for not doing enough.

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So yes,

I am inspired by everyone.

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But every day,

women remind me that strength

doesn’t always roar.

Sometimes it smiles,

ties its hair up,

and says,

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“Right then, what’s next?”

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Stay curious. The next person you meet might just be your next teacher.

Warmly,
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 22, 2026
What Success Means to Me – Nihshabd

What’s your top tip to be successful in life?

If I were the kind of person people point at and say, “Now that’s success,” maybe I would have a long list of tips to share.

But the truth is, my definition of success has changed over the years.

It no longer wears a suit, carries a title, or sits inside a bank balance.

For me, success now looks a little different.

If My Children Are Growing With Love

If I can give my children a safe place to fall,

a reason to dream,

and the confidence to become who they are meant to be,

then I feel successful.

Not because I shaped their future,

but because I stood beside them while they shaped their own.

If My Home Feels Like Peace

Success is not a perfect house.

It is a home where laughter lingers,

where tired hearts find comfort,

and where people feel seen and loved.

If I can create that kind of space,

I consider myself fortunate.

If I Can Be There When Someone Needs Me

A listening ear.

A helping hand.

A shoulder during difficult days.

If my presence makes someone’s burden a little lighter,

that feels like success too.

If I Am Still Learning

Success is not reaching a final destination.

It is remaining curious,

making mistakes,

learning from them,

and continuing to grow no matter my age.

If I Sleep With A Grateful Heart

At the end of the day,

if I can close my eyes knowing I tried my best,

loved sincerely,

and lived honestly,

then I have already achieved something valuable.

My Definition Of Success

So my top tip for success?

Do not borrow someone else’s definition.

The world may measure success in numbers,

but your heart measures it differently.

Find what truly matters to you,

nurture it with care,

and protect it from comparison.

Because success is not always found at the top of a mountain.

Sometimes it is quietly waiting at the dinner table,

holding your hand,

calling you Mom,

or smiling back at you from the life you have built.

And for me, that is more than enough. ❤️

A Final Thought

Success is important. Having goals, working hard, and striving to achieve them gives our lives purpose and direction. But in the pursuit of success, we should not forget who we are or neglect the things that truly matter.

It is possible to chase our dreams while still making time for our loved ones, our well-being, and the simple joys of life. Balance is important. A growth mindset is important. But so is gratitude.

Growth helps us move forward, while gratitude reminds us to appreciate how far we have already come. And when success is accompanied by contentment, it becomes even more beautiful—because true success is not just about reaching a destination, but also about enjoying the journey.

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May you find your own definition of success—and the courage to live by it.

—Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

You might also enjoy these related posts from Nihshabd.

A Blank Canvas and a Blank Page

Practice Makes Perfect? I Respectfully Disagree

June 21, 2026
यादें: Memories That Never Truly Leave the Heart

यादें हवा की तरह होती हैं…
दिखती नहीं, मगर मन को छू जाती हैं।

और कुछ यादें तो इतनी खास होती हैं कि
बिना बुलाए आ जाती हैं,
आराम से दिल में बैठ जाती हैं,
और फिर जाने का नाम ही नहीं लेतीं। 😄

कभी किसी पुराने गाने के बहाने,
कभी किसी खुशबू के सहारे,
और कभी तो बिना किसी वजह के ही…

कभी चाय की पहली चुस्की में,
कभी बारिश की हल्की बूँदों में,
कभी किसी पुराने रास्ते से गुज़रते हुए,
वो चुपके से साथ चलने लगती हैं। ☕🌧️

और मज़े की बात तो यह है कि
जिन बातों को हम भूल चुके होते हैं,
यादों को वे भी अच्छी तरह याद रहती हैं।
फिर मुस्कुराकर कहती हैं,
“सोचा था मुझसे पीछा छुड़ा लोगे?” 😊❤️

कभी आँखें नम कर जाती हैं,
कभी होंठों पर मुस्कान सजा जाती हैं,
पर जाते-जाते हमेशा यही एहसास दे जाती हैं
कि कुछ लम्हे वक़्त से नहीं,
दिल से जुड़े होते हैं। 🌸✨

Memories are like the wind…
You cannot see them, yet they touch your heart.

And some memories are so special that
they arrive uninvited,
make themselves comfortable in your heart,
and then refuse to leave. 😄

Sometimes they return through an old song,
sometimes through a familiar fragrance,
and sometimes for no reason at all…

Sometimes they appear in the first sip of tea,
sometimes in the gentle rhythm of falling rain,
and sometimes while walking down a road
you haven’t visited in years.
Quietly, they begin walking beside you again. ☕🌧️

And the funny thing is,
the moments we think we’ve forgotten,
memories remember perfectly well.
Then they smile and seem to ask,
“Did you really think you could get rid of me?” 😊❤️

At times they bring tears to our eyes,
at times they place a smile on our lips,
but before leaving, they always remind us
that some moments are connected not by time,
but by the heart. 🌸✨

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शब्दों में निःशब्द,
— राजेश्वरी 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 20, 2026
ख़ामोशियों को पढ़ने वाले

For Those Who Read Beyond Words

पढ़ने वाले

सब लिख रहे हैं आजकल,
अल्फ़ाज़ों की कोई कमी नहीं,
मगर ठहरकर किसी के मन को पढ़ ले,
ऐसी नज़र अब कहीं नहीं।

चेहरे पढ़ना आसान नहीं,
मुस्कानों के भी राज़ होते हैं,
कई लोग हँसते रहते हैं,
पर भीतर अनगिनत साज़ होते हैं।

किताबों के पन्ने पलट लेते हैं,
लोग उँगलियों की रफ़्तार से,
मगर दिल के पन्ने पढ़ने का हुनर,
खो गया है इस संसार से।

कोई आँखों में छिपी बारिश पढ़े,
कोई ख़ामोशी का अर्थ समझे,
कोई “मैं ठीक हूँ” के पीछे भी,
थोड़ा ठहरकर दर्द समझे।

शब्द तो अक्सर मिल जाते हैं,
भाव मगर अनकहे रहते हैं,
और जो सच में पढ़ना जानते हैं,
वो कम ही लोगों में रहते हैं।

कुछ लोग बस पन्ने पलटते हैं,
कुछ लफ़्ज़ों के बीच ठहर जाते हैं,
और जो दिल से पढ़ते हैं,
वे अक्सर वह पा लेते हैं,
जिसे शब्द कभी कह नहीं पाते।

आख़िर हर कहानी स्याही से नहीं लिखी जाती,
कुछ आँखों में बसती है,
कुछ ख़ामोशियों में छिपी रहती है,
और कुछ दिलों में उम्रभर धड़कती है।

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उन सभी लोगों के लिए, जो सिर्फ़ शब्द नहीं पढ़ते, बल्कि उनके पीछे छिपे एहसासों को भी महसूस कर लेते हैं।
ख़ामोशियों को पढ़ने वाले लोग आज भी दुनिया को थोड़ा और खूबसूरत बना देते हैं। 🤍✨

Readers

Everyone is writing these days,
Words are everywhere.
But people who pause long enough
To truly read a heart are rare.

Reading faces is not easy,
Even smiles hold untold stories.
Many people appear happy outside,
While carrying silent storms within.

We turn the pages of books quickly,
With busy hands and hurried eyes.
But the art of reading a soul
Seems to be fading with time.

Someone notices the rain in your eyes,
Someone understands your silence.
Someone looks beyond the words,
And feels the pain left unspoken.

Words can often be found,
But feelings remain hidden away.
And those who truly understand them
Are few and far between.

Some people only turn the pages,
Some pause between the lines.
And those who read with their hearts,
Often find what words cannot define.

After all, not every story is written in ink.
Some live in the eyes,
Some hide in silence,
And some keep beating softly in the heart forever. 🤍✨

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For those rare souls who read beyond words and understand what remains unspoken.
People who can read silence still make the world a gentler, more beautiful place. 🤍✨

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शब्दों में… निःशब्द
In Words… Nihshabd
— Rajeshwari 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

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तस्वीरों में कैद यादें

June 17, 2026
तस्वीरों में कैद यादें

तस्वीर और आईना

ज़रूरी था तस्वीर लेना भी,
आईना तो बस आज दिखाता है,
कल की हँसी, बीते लम्हे,
कहाँ कोई आईना बचा पाता है।

चेहरे की रंगत बदल जाती है,
मौसम अपना असर दिखाते हैं,
पर तस्वीरों में कैद वो पल,
सालों बाद भी मुस्कुराते हैं।

जो साथ थे, जो दूर हुए,
जो बातें अधूरी रह गईं,
एक तस्वीर चुपचाप मगर,
सब यादें फिर से कह गईं।

आईना सच तो दिखाता है,
पर सिर्फ़ इस पल का फ़साना,
तस्वीरें वक़्त की किताब हैं,
जिनमें छुपा है पूरा ज़माना।

इसलिए कुछ लम्हों को रोक लेना,
वक़्त की रफ़्तार से पहले,
क्योंकि यादें वक़्त की धूल में कहीं खो जाती हैं,
मगर तस्वीरें ख़ामोश रहकर भी बहुत कुछ कह जाती हैं। ✨📸

शब्दों में निःशब्द,
— राजेश्वरी 🧿💕

© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

June 16, 2026