zindagi ruthi to phir hum se manai na gai
jab andhera hua ek shama jalai na gai

jaise thahre hue pani pe makan ho apna
yaad-e-rafta hai ajab aai to aai na gai

main falak chhu lun to qadmon se zamin jati hai
ek nai duniya khalaon mein basai na gai

jaane kaisa hai mere dast-e-hunar par ye azab
rang yun bikhre ki taswir banai na gai

ek thokar se qaba gul ki bikheregi hawa
un ki khushbu bhi saliqe se churai na gai

be-asar aaj bhi hai zulf-e-pareshan ka fusun
yunhi bikhri rahi zanjir banai na gai

baat ban jati meri ek hi pal mein 'salma'
kya karen baat magar hum se banai na gai