hawa ki zad mein patte ki tarah tha

hawa ki zad mein patte ki tarah tha
wo ek zakhmi parinde ki tarah tha
kabhi hangama-za tha be-sabab wo
kabhi gunge tamashe ki tarah tha


khilaunon ki numaish thi jahan wo
kisi gum-gashta bachche ki tarah tha
sambhalta kya ki sar sar sail mein wo
ukhadte girte kheme ki tarah tha


ugalta bulbule phul aur shole
wo chabi ke khilaune ki tarah tha
the us ke baal-o-par qainchi ki zad mein
wahi tanha farishte ki tarah tha


ana-inkar mein aaina tuta
jo bar-e-dosh chehre ki tarah tha