main ne jab us se kaha dekh zara pani mein
ek gul-e-taza kanwal khilne laga pani mein

kaghazi kashti pe ek khwab rakha ek diya
aur ek ism padha chhod diya pani mein

ek darwesh sar-e-ab-e-rawan guzra tha
aaj tak dhund raha hun kaf-e-pa pani mein

pahle main chalta raha der talak chalta raha
phir mera ashk gira phir main gira pani mein

sar patakhte hue dariya ko jo dekha to laga
koi aaseb hai ya koi bala pani mein

ek sailab umad aaya teri yaadon ka
aur main der talak bahta raha pani mein

aise raushan hai meri aankh mein ek khwab-e-hasin
jhilmilata ho koi jaise diya pani mein

main tazadat ke gare se bana hun 'ahmad'
khak mein rakkha gaya aag hua pani mein