dariya ki mauj hi mein nahin iztirab hai
sang-e-rawan ke dil mein bhi ek zakhm-e-ab hai

har fard aaj tutte lamhon ke shor mein
asr-e-rawan ki jagti aaankhon ka khwab hai

wo khud hi apni aag mein jal kar fana hua
jis sae ki talash mein ye aaftab hai

ab koi nisf dam pe bhi puchhta nahin
ye zindagi nisab se kharij kitab hai

palkon pe aaj nind ki kirchen bikhar gain
shishe ki aankh mein koi patthar ka khwab hai

ai 'kaif' na-qadon ke tassub ke bawajud
mera har ek sher adab ki kitab hai