Pakistani poet Parveen Shakir is renowned for her distinctive use of words, which convey a unique feminine voice. Initially, she wrote under the pen name Beena.

In 1976, Shakir published her first volume of poetry, Khushbuu (Fragrance), which was well received. 

The collection of her newspaper columns, titled Gosha-e-Chashm (Corner of the Eye), is an excellent book.

Read the following and enjoy - 

डसने लगे हैं ख़्वाब, मगर किससे बोलिए 

मैं जानती थी पाल रही हूँ संपोलिए

बस ये हुआ कि उसने तकल्लुफ़ से बात की 

और हमने रोते-रोते दुपट्टे भिगो लिए

पलकों पे कच्ची नींद का रस फैलता हो जब 

ऐसे में आँख धूप के रूख़ कैसे खोलिए

खुशबू कहीं न जाए ये इसरार है बहुत 

और ये भी आरजू की ज़रा जुल्फ़ खोलिए

तस्वीर जब नयी है, नया कैनवस भी है 

फिर तश्तरी में रंग पुराने न घोलिए

Dreams are beginning to bother me, but 

I don't know who to share them with.

I knew I was raising a snakelet

He pleasantly spoke to me, as it happened 

And I soaked my dupattas with tears

When the juice of raw sleep spreads on the eyelids,

How can you open your eyes to the sunlight?

I insist the fragrance stays exactly where it is

And this is my wish, too: open your hair a little

When the picture is new, the canvas is new,

Don't mix old colors in the plate)