koi bhi uqda-kusha-e-khud-agahi na mila
main apne aap se bhi aaj tak kabhi na mila

mushahidat pe qudrat na tajrabaat pe naz
hamein to koi hunar tujh se zindagi na mila

shuur-e-rahbari rah dekhta kab tak
us aadmi ki jise zauq-e-rah-rawi na mila

dayar-e-shauq mein sab kuchh mujhe nazar aaya
magar gaya tha main jis ke liye wahi na mila

bada ajib hai mahrumiyon ka rishta bhi
koi bhi shakhs kahin mujh ko ajnabi na mila

bataen kya tumhein us qafile ke bare mein
ki hum ko rah mein jis ka ghubar bhi na mila

'rabab' apne hi chehre pe jam gain nazren
jab aainon mein koi aur aks hi na mila