jaane kitnā jīvan pīchhe chhūT gayā anjāne meñ
ab to kuchh qatre haiñ baaqī sāñsoñ ke paimāne meñ

apnī pyaas liye hoñToñ par lauT aa.e maiḳhāne meñ
kitne tishna-lab baiThe the pahle hī maiḳhāne meñ

kyā kyā ruup liye rishtoñ ne kaise kaise rañg bhare
ab to farq nahīñ kuchh lagtā apne aur begāne meñ

jazboñ kī mismār imārat yādoñ ke be-jān khañDar
jaane kyuuñ baiThe haiñ tanhā ham aise vīrāne meñ

is bastī meñ aa kar ham ne kuchh aisā dastūr sunā
aql kī bāteñ karne vaale hoñge pāgal-ḳhāne meñ

itnā jaan liyā to yaaro kaisī bandish unvāñ kī
apnā apnā rañg bharegā har koī afsāne meñ

takmīl-o-taḳhlīq kā lamha bhārī hai in sadiyoñ par
jo ābād nagar kī qismat likh Dālīñ vīrāne meñ

jaane kitna jiwan pichhe chhuT gaya anjaane mein
ab to kuchh qatre hain baqi sanson ke paimane mein

apni pyas liye honTon par lauT aae maiKHane mein
kitne tishna-lab baiThe the pahle hi maiKHane mein

kya kya rup liye rishton ne kaise kaise rang bhare
ab to farq nahin kuchh lagta apne aur begane mein

jazbon ki mismar imarat yaadon ke be-jaan khanDar
jaane kyun baiThe hain tanha hum aise virane mein

is basti mein aa kar hum ne kuchh aisa dastur suna
aql ki baaten karne wale honge pagal-KHane mein

itna jaan liya to yaro kaisi bandish unwan ki
apna apna rang bharega har koi afsane mein

takmil-o-taKHliq ka lamha bhaari hai in sadiyon par
jo aabaad nagar ki qismat likh Dalin virane mein

Source: Intikhab Apna Apna