vo dekhne mujhe aanā to chāhtā hogā
magar zamāne kī bātoñ se Dar gayā hogā

use thā shauq bahut mujh ko achchhā rakhne kā
ye shauq auroñ ko shāyad burā lagā hogā

kabhī na hadd-e-adab se baḌhe the diida o dil
vo mujh se kis liye kisī baat par ḳhafā hogā

mujhe gumān hai ye bhī yaqīn kī had tak
kisī se bhī na vo merī tarah milā hogā

kabhī kabhī to sitāroñ kī chhāñv meñ vo bhī
mire ḳhayāl meñ kuchh der jāgtā hogā

vo us kā saada o ma.asūm vālehāna-pan
kisī bhī jug meñ koī devtā bhī kyā hogā

nahīñ vo aayā to 'jālib' gila na kar us kā
na-jāne kyā use darpesh mas.ala hogā

wo dekhne mujhe aana to chahta hoga
magar zamane ki baaton se Dar gaya hoga

use tha shauq bahut mujh ko achchha rakhne ka
ye shauq auron ko shayad bura laga hoga

kabhi na hadd-e-adab se baDhe the dida o dil
wo mujh se kis liye kisi baat par KHafa hoga

mujhe guman hai ye bhi yaqin ki had tak
kisi se bhi na wo meri tarah mila hoga

kabhi kabhi to sitaron ki chhanw mein wo bhi
mere KHayal mein kuchh der jagta hoga

wo us ka sada o masum walehana-pan
kisi bhi jug mein koi dewta bhi kya hoga

nahin wo aaya to 'jalib' gila na kar us ka
na-jaane kya use darpesh masala hoga