khwab ka izn tha tabir-e-ijazat thi mujhe
wo samay aisa tha marne mein suhulat thi mujhe

ek be-barg shajar dhund mein lipta hua tha
shakh par baithi duaon ki zarurat thi mujhe

raat masjid mein andhera to bahut tha lekin
yaad bhuli si koi rah-e-ibaadat thi mujhe

ai meri jaan wahi 'ghaalib' ki si haalat thi meri
tere jaane ki ghadi thi ki qayamat thi mujhe

dastan-go ne dikha di thi mujhe shahzadi
aur phir khwab mein chalne ki bhi aadat thi mujhe