rū-ba-rū un ke koī harf adā kyā karte
dard to ham ko chhupānā thā sadā kyā karte

bevafā.ī bhī vafā hī kī tarah kī us ne
aise insān se karte to gila kyā karte

chhin ga.iiñ haath uThāne se duā.eñ mahñgī
hausla phir vo duāoñ kā bhalā kyā karte

kuchh to aate rahe ummīd ke jhoñke varnā
itnā shādāb mujhe aab o havā kyā karte

apne me.ayār se girnā nahīñ aayā ham ko
apne kirdār ko ham is se sivā kyā karte

jab bhī aayā koī achchhā hī ḳhayāl aayā hai
'ashk' ham jaise zamāne kā burā kyā karte

ru-ba-ru un ke koi harf ada kya karte
dard to hum ko chhupana tha sada kya karte

bewafai bhi wafa hi ki tarah ki us ne
aise insan se karte to gila kya karte

chhin gain hath uThane se duaen mahngi
hausla phir wo duaon ka bhala kya karte

kuchh to aate rahe ummid ke jhonke warna
itna shadab mujhe aab o hawa kya karte

apne meayar se girna nahin aaya hum ko
apne kirdar ko hum is se siwa kya karte

jab bhi aaya koi achchha hi KHayal aaya hai
'ashk' hum jaise zamane ka bura kya karte