ham aaj kuchh hasīn sarāboñ meñ kho ga.e
āñkheñ khulīñ to jāgte ḳhvāboñ meñ kho ga.e

ham saf.ha-e-hayāt se jab be-nishāñ hue
lafzoñ kī ruuh ban ke kitāboñ meñ kho ga.e

ā.īna-e-bahār ke kuchh aks-e-muzmahil
ḳhushbū kā rañg pā ke gulāboñ meñ kho ga.e

dar-asl barshgāl ke tum āftāb the
barsāt jab huī to sahāboñ meñ kho ga.e

nikle the jo bhī aaj talāsh-e-savāb meñ
vo zindagī ke saḳht azāboñ meñ kho ga.e

dil ko thī ek shahr-e-tamannā kī justujū
lekin ham aarzū ke ḳharāboñ meñ kho ga.e

jab mas.ala hayāt kā kuchh hal na ho sakā
ham 'kaif' falsafe kī kitāboñ meñ kho ga.e

hum aaj kuchh hasin sarabon mein kho gae
aankhen khulin to jagte KHwabon mein kho gae

hum safha-e-hayat se jab be-nishan hue
lafzon ki ruh ban ke kitabon mein kho gae

aaina-e-bahaar ke kuchh aks-e-muzmahil
KHushbu ka rang pa ke gulabon mein kho gae

dar-asl barshgal ke tum aaftab the
barsat jab hui to sahabon mein kho gae

nikle the jo bhi aaj talash-e-sawab mein
wo zindagi ke saKHt azabon mein kho gae

dil ko thi ek shahr-e-tamanna ki justuju
lekin hum aarzu ke KHarabon mein kho gae

jab masala hayat ka kuchh hal na ho saka
hum 'kaif' falsafe ki kitabon mein kho gae

Source: Shab Khoon(Shumara Number-064)