kitabon mein likhi
muasharti be-hisi ki la-zawal kahaniyon se na-ashna

jab koi ladki
apne aashna ke sath bhag jati hai

to ilaqe ke thane mein rakhi hui kitab
ek kahani ko janam deti hai

jis ki waraq-gardani karte hue
kitne hi rashi afsar muattal ho chuke hain

lekin aaj bhi
juma ke khutbe se pahle

ilaqe ka maulwi
saadat-hasan-manto ko gali dena nahin bhulta