tujh se jab tak is tarah apni shanasai na thi
apne ghar jaisi to sahra mein bhi tanhai na thi

ab to rashk aata hai khud apne hi jumlon par hamein
is se pahle thi magar ye shan-e-goyai na thi

ab mujhe kyon apne mustaqbil ka aata hai khayal
aaj tak shayad mere hamrah danai na thi

tajrabon ke waste kuchh laghzishon ki chhut hai
ab main samjha kyon mujhe har baat samjhai na thi

aalam-e-hairat mein guzre hain wahan se bhi jahan
zindagi apni tarah be-aks-o-be-aina thi

wo kahan hai manzaron mein dhundte ho tum jise
ghar se kyon nikle the jab nazron mein ranai na thi

tujh se milne tak na tha khud-e'timadi ka pata
aur kuchh apni tabiat ne jila pai na thi

waise to ab tak banain kitni taswiren 'rabab'
shauq ki had tak magar rangon mein gahrai na thi