hum apni kahani bhul gae hum apna fasana bhul gae
aisa ye zamana rang laya hum hansna-hansana bhul gae

bulbul ka chahakna yaad raha phulon ka mahakna yaad raha
apni hi haqiqat yaad nahin apna hi tarana bhul gae

mai-khane ki raaten yaad aain but-khane ki baaten yaad aain
pahunche jo haram ki chaukhat par sar apna jhukana bhul gae

ye zulm-o-sitam ke matwale insaf ka dawa karte hain
den kis ko saza hai kis ki khata ye ahl-e-zamana bhul gae

aaghaz-e-jafa ki talkhi se ghabrana bhi ek nadani hai
un par bhi koi waqt aaega wo apna zamana bhul gae

saqi hai juda maikhane se saghar hai juda paimane se
hasti ke talatum mein phans kar sab pina-pilana bhul gae

ulfat ki qasam is duniya mein ab koi kisi ka bhi na raha
beganon ka shikwa kya kije apne apnana bhul gae

hai shama khafa parwane se saghar hai khajil paimane se
uthta hai dhuan maikhane se sab pina-pilana bhul gae

ek saz-e-shikasta le ke 'nasim' us gulshan mein kya jaen ki hum
bulbul ko rulana bhul gae phulon ko hansana bhul gae