ai KHuda tu bhi yahan aae to jae na bane

ai ḳhudā tū bhī yahāñ aa.e to jaa.e na bane

ab kahīñ aur koī aisī sarā.e na bane

vaqt ko apnī 'imārat kā bharam rakhnā hai

aisī dīvār uThā dī hai ki Dhaa.e na bane

raushnī malgajī aur dhund bahut gahrī thī

lahriye aaj tirī yaad ke saa.e na bane

merā uslūb isī baat kī koshish to nahīñ

mere baare meñ kisī kī koī raa.e na bane

chhoḌ kar ham ko zamāne kā nikalnā dekho

dil baḌhe bhī to qadam ham se baḌhā.e na bane

zindagī aisī havā-ḳhvāh-e-havas hai ki ajal

laakh chāhe ki ise apnā banā.e na bane

kuchh hī ash'ār haiñ 'ġhālib' ke nahīñ jin kā javāb

baaqī she'roñ ke liye sharh uThā.e na bane

koī chāhe ki use DhūñDne nikleñ sab log

us taraf jaa.e jidhar ḳhalq se jaa.e na bane

ai KHuda tu bhi yahan aae to jae na bane

ab kahin aur koi aisi sarae na bane

waqt ko apni 'imarat ka bharam rakhna hai

aisi diwar uTha di hai ki Dhae na bane

raushni malgaji aur dhund bahut gahri thi

lahriye aaj teri yaad ke sae na bane

mera uslub isi baat ki koshish to nahin

mere bare mein kisi ki koi rae na bane

chhoD kar hum ko zamane ka nikalna dekho

dil baDhe bhi to qadam hum se baDhae na bane

zindagi aisi hawa-KHwah-e-hawas hai ki ajal

lakh chahe ki ise apna banae na bane

kuchh hi ash'ar hain 'ghaalib' ke nahin jin ka jawab

baqi she'ron ke liye sharh uThae na bane

koi chahe ki use DhunDne niklen sab log

us taraf jae jidhar KHalq se jae na bane