yun bhi nahin ki sham-o-sahar intizar tha
kahte nahin the munh se magar intizar tha

muddat ke baad phul ki surat khila tha dil
shabnam ki tarah taza-o-tar intizar tha

baalon mein dhul panw mein chhaale na the magar
phir bhi kuchh ek ranj-e-safar intizar tha

koi khabar thi us ki parindon ke shor mein
rang-e-hawa mein shakh-o-shajar intizar tha

yun thi jawaharaat lab-o-chashm ki jhalak
jaise ye koi lal-o-gohar intizar tha

dalan-o-dar mein ek tawaqqoa thi mauj mauj
diwar-o-baam the ki bhanwar intizar tha

aise mein e'tibar kisi par na tha mujhe
main bhi tha sath sath jidhar intizar tha

aankhen thin khushk khushk to dil bhi tha band band
khul hi nahin raha tha kidhar intizar tha

mayus hone wale na the hum bhi ai 'zafar'
aaya nahin to bar-e-digar intizar tha