kya bataen haal-e-dil un ki shanasai ke baad
habs badhta hi chala jata hai purwai ke baad

ek muddat par khayal un ka kahan se aa gaya
kitni achchhi anjuman lagti hai tanhai ke baad

jab nazar aaya na sahil un ki chashm-e-naz mein
kya dikhai dega wo dariya ki gahrai ke baad

dar-ba-dar ki thokaren khain mohabbat mein to kya
ho gae hum mohtaram kuchh aur ruswai ke baad

hum kahan honge na jaane is tamasha-gah mein
kis tamashai se pahle kis tamashai ke baad

un ke bare mein faqat itna hamein malum hai
ab wo rahte hain hamare dil ki angnai ke baad

khub hai 'afsar' hamein apni haqiqat ki khabar
kya hamara nala-e-dil un ki shahnai ke baad