Khushbu (Urdu: خوشبو) is a volume of poetry written by Pakistani poet and columnist Parveen Shakir, and published in 1976.
[1][2] The poetry in Khushbu, like most of Shakir's subsequent work, can be divided into two categories: the ghazal [plural: ghazalyaat], and free verse.
[3] The ghazalyaat in Khusbhu heavily rely on metaphors and similes, which are repeatedly and thought-provokingly used to bring force, thoughtfulness and lyricism in her work.
The ghazalyaat in Khusbu mainly deal with the feminine perspective on love and romance, and associated themes such as beauty, intimacy, separation, break-ups, distances, distrust and infidelity and disloyalty.
[5] The ghazalyaat in Shakir's books are one of the biggest, undisputed sources to her personality, and those in Khushbu establish her as an emotional, romantic, fiery and, above all, strong woman.
], Dost [Friend], Shadeed dukh tha agarcha teri judaai ka [Though the pain of your separation was great!]
and Chiraagh-e-raah bujha kya, kay rehnuma bhi gaya [The guide left as soon as the lamp died out].
Similarly, "Gongay laboun pe hurf-e-tamanna kiya mujhe" (I am a wish on mute lips) metaphorically portrays unspoken desires.