ek mushkil kitab jaisi thi
zindagi ek azab jaisi thi

hum ko to khar hi mile lekin
ye suna tha gulab jaisi thi

ghunt dar ghunt pi to ye jaana
ek kadwi sharab jaisi thi

aai hisse mein jo yatimon ke
wo to khana-kharab jaisi thi

umr bhar hum sahejte the jise
ek khasta kitab jaisi thi

koi tabir hi na ho jis ki
ek adhure se khwab jaisi thi

hai shikasta si aaj ye lekin
bachpane mein nawab jaisi thi

tum ne dekhi nahin jawani mein
zindagi aaftab jaisi thi