bazm-e-takallufat sajaane mein rah gaya
main zindagi ke naz uthane mein rah gaya

tasir ke liye jahan tahrif ki gai
ek jhol bas wahin pe fasane mein rah gaya

sab mujh pe mohr-e-jurm lagate chale gae
main sab ko apne zakhm dikhane mein rah gaya

khud hadsa bhi maut pe us ki tha dam-ba-khud
wo dusron ki jaan bachane mein rah gaya

ab ahl-e-karwan pe lagata hai tohmaten
wo ham-safar jo hile bahane mein rah gaya

maidan-e-kar-zar mein aae wo qaum kya
jis ka jawan aaina-khane mein rah gaya

wo waqt ka jahaz tha karta lihaz kya
main doston se hath milane mein rah gaya

sunta nahin hai muft jahan baat bhi koi
main khali hath aise zamane mein rah gaya

bazar-e-zindagi se qaza le gai mujhe
ye daur mere dam lagane mein rah gaya

ye bhi hai ek kar-e-numayan 'hafiz' ka
kya sada-lauh kaise zamane mein rah gaya