yun bhi dil ahbab ke hum ne gahe gahe rakkhe the
apne zakhm-e-nazar par khush-fahmi ke phahe rakkhe the

hum ne tazad-e-dahr ko samjha do-rahe tartib diye
aur baratne nikle to dekha sah-rahe rakkhe the

raqs-kada ho bazm-e-sukhan ho koi kargah-e-fan ho
zardozon ne apni ma-tahti mein julahe rakkhe the

mohtasibon ki khatir bhi apne izhaar mein kuchh pahlu
rakh to liye the hum ne ab chahe an-chahe rakkhe the

jo wajh-e-rahat bhi na the aur tut gae to gham na hua
aah wo rishte kyun hum ne ek umr nibahe rakkhe the

kahkashan-bandi mein sukhan ki rah gai 'saz' kasar kaisi
lafz to hum ne chun ke najume mohre mahe rakkhe the