kitnī mahfūz zindagī thī kabhī
dushmanī thī na dostī thī kabhī

ab faqat qahqahe lagātā huuñ
merī āñkhoñ meñ bhī namī thī kabhī

soch kar ab qadam uThātā huuñ
merī rāhoñ meñ gum rahī thī kabhī

ab dhuāñ hai jo pī rahe haiñ nam
aag har moḌ par lagī thī kabhī

ab to badlā hai apnā paimāna
jo burī hai vahī bhalī thī kabhī

thā safed-o-siyāh se vāqif
merī āñkhoñ meñ raushnī thī kabhī

ab to tasbīh le ke baiThe haiñ
haath meñ jin ke lablabī thī kabhī

sab kā mahbūb ek thā 'hamdam'
shahr meñ ek hī galī thī kabhī

kitni mahfuz zindagi thi kabhi
dushmani thi na dosti thi kabhi

ab faqat qahqahe lagata hun
meri aankhon mein bhi nami thi kabhi

soch kar ab qadam uThata hun
meri rahon mein gum rahi thi kabhi

ab dhuan hai jo pi rahe hain nam
aag har moD par lagi thi kabhi

ab to badla hai apna paimana
jo buri hai wahi bhali thi kabhi

tha safed-o-siyah se waqif
meri aankhon mein raushni thi kabhi

ab to tasbih le ke baiThe hain
hath mein jin ke lablabi thi kabhi

sab ka mahbub ek tha 'hamdam'
shahr mein ek hi gali thi kabhi

Source: Book : Shor ke darmayan (Pg. 130) Author : Jamal Owaisi Publication : Educational Publishing House (2006) Edition : 2006