sari duniya ke talluq se jo socha jata

saarī duniyā ke ta.alluq se jo sochā jaatā

aadmī itne qabīloñ meñ na bāñTā jaatā

dil kā ahvāl na pūchho ki bahut roz hue

is ḳharābe kī taraf maiñ nahīñ aatā jaatā

zindagī tishna-dahānī kā safar thī shāyad

ham jidhar jaate usī raah pe sahrā jaatā

shaam hote hī koī sham.a jalā rakhnī thī

jab darīche se havā aatī to dekhā jaatā

raushnī apne gharoñdoñ meñ chhupī thī varna

shahr ke shahr pe shab-ḳhūn na maarā jaatā

saare kāġhaz pe bichhī thiiñ mirī āñkheñ 'qaisar'

itne aañsū the ki ik harf na likkhā jaatā

sari duniya ke talluq se jo socha jata

aadmi itne qabilon mein na banTa jata

dil ka ahwal na puchho ki bahut roz hue

is KHarabe ki taraf main nahin aata jata

zindagi tishna-dahani ka safar thi shayad

hum jidhar jate usi rah pe sahra jata

sham hote hi koi shama jala rakhni thi

jab dariche se hawa aati to dekha jata

raushni apne gharondon mein chhupi thi warna

shahr ke shahr pe shab-KHun na mara jata

sare kaghaz pe bichhi thin meri aankhen 'qaisar'

itne aansu the ki ek harf na likkha jata