mishal-ba-kaf kabhi to kabhi dil-ba-dast tha
main sail-e-tirgi mein tajalli-parast tha

har ek kamand arsa-e-afaq hi pe thi
lekin buland jitna hua utna past tha

thi hausle ki baat zamane mein zindagi
qadmon ka fasla bhi yahan ek jast tha

bikhre hue the log khud apne wajud mein
insan ki zindagi ka ajab bandobast tha

marne ke baad azmat o shohrat se faeda
lekin jahan tamam hi murda-parast tha

sarmaya-e-hayat the kuchh naqd-e-dagh-e-dil
sach baat to hai ye ki bahut tang-dast tha

arz-e-niyaz-e-shauq se tha be-niyaz dil
mulk-e-hawas mein 'ashk' akela hi mast tha