Intezaar: The Poetry of Waiting

Few themes appear as often in shayari as इंतज़ार (intezaar), waiting.

Why waiting

Waiting makes time visible. Each minute stretches, each sound at the door raises hope. Poets use this to express how much someone matters.

Images of waiting

• दरवाज़ा (darwaaza), the door, watched for a knock
• राह (raah), the road, watched for a figure
• शाम (shaam), evening, when waiting is hardest
• दीया (deeya), the lamp, left burning
• खिड़की (khidkee), the window, where someone looks out

Feelings within it

• Hope, that the person will come
• Doubt, that they might not
• Patience, that makes love noble
• Restlessness, that makes time heavy

Waiting in daily life

Waiting is familiar to everyone: a message that has not arrived, a train that is late, a person who is far away. This is part of why these verses feel so personal.

An original example

हर आहट पे लगता है, शायद तुम आए हो, दिल को हर बार यूँ ही बहला लेते हैं।

Har aahat pe lagta hai, shaayad tum aaye ho, dil ko har baar yoon hee bahla lete hain. At every sound I think perhaps you have come; each time I console my heart this way.

An original couplet for illustration only.

Using waiting verses

They suit messages for someone you miss, or to say that you are thinking of them.

Be thoughtful

If someone is waiting for an answer from you, a poetic message may not be what they need. A simple, honest reply is often better.

Tips

1. Choose waiting verses for gentle moods.
2. Notice the objects poets use.
3. Browse by mood for the right tone.

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