jine ki khwahishon mein kai bar mar gae
yun apni dastan ke kirdar mar gae

kante nikalne mein hi guzri hai zindagi
dil mein liye hi hasrat-e-gulzar mar gae

ai zindagi ye tera karishma nahin to kya
hum maut se hi pahle kai bar mar gae

mausam khizan hi ka tha magar haal ye na tha
kaisi bahaar aai ki ashjar mar gae

jis ki talash kijiye mil jae kya zarur
jine ki justuju mein kai yar mar gae

sikke ke sath sath jo pagdi uchhal padi
jitne bache the hamil-e-dastar mar gae

'talib' riyaz-e-fan na ruke warna dekh le
teri tarah se kitne hi fankar mar gae