bikhar jata hai jab sapna to manzar mein nahin rahta
hawa ka aks aainon ke jauhar mein nahin rahta

use tabir karna hai tulua-e-ashk se lekin
wo ek bahta ujala hai samundar mein nahin rahta

jise main dhundhta rahta hun taswiron ke mele mein
wo rangon ka talatum apne paikar mein nahin rahta

koi mauj-e-sarab us mein sarayat hai ki ab aksar
fusun-e-lams ka aalam gul-e-tar mein nahin rahta

bahut din ho gae us se nahin hai rabta mera
bahut din ho gae dil apne mehwar mein nahin rahta

bujha kar pyas jhilon se parinde udte jate hain
koi bhi umr bhar aankhon ke sagar mein nahin rahta

'kafil' aakhir talab le jaegi us ko wahan se bhi
musafir der tak thahra khule dar mein nahin rahta