haram ki rah mein saqi ka ghar bhi aata hai
safar mein lamha-e-tark-e-safar bhi aata hai

tujhe ki parda-nashin ye hunar bhi aata hai
nazar bhi aata nahin aur nazar bhi aata hai

dabi dabi si zaban mein ye puchhna qasid
kabhi khayal mein aashufta-sar bhi aata hai

tumhaari baat hai kuchh aur yun to aane ko
gharib-khane pe aksar qamar bhi aata hai

ghamon ki sham hai be-shak magar udas na ho
ba-shakl-e-sham payam-e-sahr bhi aata hai

meri tabahi ka bais mera nasib sahi
magar ye harf teri zat par bhi aata hai

jawab-e-khat ki to ummid 'ehtisham' kuja
ye dekh laut ke paighambar bhi aata hai