kya ab bhi wahan ka har shair
tanqid ka mara hai ki nahin

iflas ki aankh ka tara hai
wo raj-dulara hai ki nahin

wo ek ghasiyara hai ki nahin
o des se aane wale bata

kya ab bhi wahan par ganja-sar
scholar samjha jata hai

kya ab bhi wahan ka har m-a
'ghaalib' par kuchh farmata hai

aur jail ki zulmat mein kho kar
'iqbaal' se bhi takraata hai

o des se aane wale bata
kya ab bhi wahan ke sab shauhar

raaton ko chhup kar rote hain
kya ab bhi wo qismat ke mare

daftar mein aksar sote hain
tanon ka nishana bante hain

jab ghar mein kabhi wo hote hain
aakhir mein ye hasrat hai ki bata

rehana ke kitne bachche hain
rehana ke 'wo' kis haal mein hain

kya ab bhi wo pension pate hain
kuchh baal to the jab main tha wahan

kya ab wo mukammal ganje hain
o des se aane wale bata