fasil-e-shahr-e-tamanna mein dar banate hue
ye kaun dil mein dar aaya hai ghar banate hue

nasheb-e-chashm-e-tamasha bana gaya mujh ko
kahin bulandi-e-ayyam par banate hue

main kya kahun ki abhi koi pesh-raft nahin
guzar raha hun abhi rahguzar banate hue

kise khabar hai ki kitne nujum tut gire
shab-e-siyah se rang-e-sahar banate hue

pate ki baat bhi munh se nikal hi jati hai
kabhi kabhi koi jhuti khabar banate hue

magar ye dil mera ye tair-e-bahisht mera
utar hi aaya kahin mustaqar banate hue

dilon ke bab mein kya dakhl 'aftab-husain'
so baat phail gai mukhtasar banate hue