hazaron lakhon dilli mein makan hain
magar pahchanne wale kahan hain

kahin par silsila hai kothiyon ka
kahin girte khandar hain naliyan hain

kahin hansti chamakti suraten hain
kahin mitti hui parchhaiyan hain

kahin aawaz ke parde pade hain
kahin chup mein kai sargoshiyan hain

qutub-sahib khade hain sar jhukae
qile par gidh bahut hi shadman hain

are ye kaun si sadken hain bhai
yahan to ladkiyan hi ladkiyan hain

likha milta hai diwaron pe ab bhi
to kya ab bhi wahi bimariyan hain

hawalon par hawale de rahe hain
ye sahab to kitabon ki dukan hain

mere aage mujhi ko koste hain
magar kya kijiye ahl-e-zaban hain

dikhaya ek hi dilli ne kya kya
bura ho ab to do do dilliyan hain

yahan bhi dost mil jate hain 'alwi'
yahan bhi doston mein talkhiyan hain