tazad achchha nahin tarz-e-bayan ka hum zabanon mein
haqiqat ko chhupata ja raha hun dastanon mein

sabhi to aaj bargashta hain azmat-soz pasti se
macha rakkhi hai ek halchal zamin ne aasmanon mein

samajhta hun main be-mafhum si aawaz shikwe ko
musibat khud madad karti hai aa kar imtihanon mein

mera aaina-e-ehsas hairan ho nahin sakta
yaqin ka nur paida kar hi leta hai gumanon mein

bana rakha hai bad-tar az qafas khauf-e-asiri ne
siwa tinkon ke ab kya rah gaya hai aashiyanon mein

naya ek mabad-e-ummid bhi tamir karna hai
anadil moatakif kab tak rahengi gulistanon mein

meri nairangiyan chhane lagi hain rang-e-mahfil par
bahut kuchh farq 'yaqub' aa chala hai dastanon mein