nazar mili thi kisi be-khabar se pahle bhi
sada-e-tishna uthi thi jigar se pahle bhi

ye sehr kam hai ki shadab ho gaya sahra
bahe the ashk bahut chashm-e-tar se pahle bhi

naya nahin hai taqaza-e-shisha-o-tesha
guzar chuka hun main is dard-e-sar se pahle bhi

main khak chhanne wala sawad-e-sahra ka
pade the panw mein chhaale safar se pahle bhi

hisar-e-lafz-o-bayan mein na rah saka 'nami'
ki aashna tha maqam-e-hunar se pahle bhi