dard hote hain kai dil mein chhupane ke liye
sab ke sab aansu nahin hote bahane ke liye

umr tanha kat di wada nibhane ke liye
ahd bandha tha kisi ne aazmane ke liye

ye qafas hai ghar ki zebaish badhane ke liye
ye parinde to nahin hain aashiyane ke liye

kuchh diye diwar par rakhne hain waqt-e-intizar
kuchh diye laya hun palkon par jalane ke liye

wo ba-zahir to mila tha ek lamhe ko 'adim'
umr sari chahiye us ko bhulane ke liye

log zer-e-khak bhi to dub jate hain 'adim'
ek samundar hi nahin hai dub jaane ke liye

tu pas-e-khanda-labi aahon ki aawazen to sun
ye hansi to aai hai aansu chhupane ke liye

koi gham ho koi dukh ho dard koi ho 'adim'
muskurana pad hi jata hai zamane ke liye