ye kis ki bazm ke qisse suna raha hun aaj
tamasha kyon 'khalish' apna bana raha hun aaj

yahi jawab hai ab be-karan andheron ka
tumhaare nam ki shamen jala raha hun aaj

ab aur tab nahin dard-e-hijr sahne ki
chale bhi aao ki main khud bula raha hun aaj

kisi ki yaad ke tufan badhte aate hain
kisi khayal mein duba hi ja raha hun aaj

sahar hui magar aankhon se nind ruthi hai
'khalish' main sham se kya sochta raha hun aaj