yuuñ bhī kyā thā aur ab kyā rah gayā
maiñ akelā thā akelā rah gayā

hijr meñ hai kaun kitnā be-qarār
lekin in bātoñ meñ ab kyā rah gayā

maslahat kāfir thī baaz aa.ī nahīñ
dil vo nādāñ thā ki rotā rah gayā

sāqī-e-umr-e-do-roza yaad rakh
merī jānib se taqāza rah gayā

chārasāzo bhuul jā.ūñgā use
ab sunāo zaḳhm kitnā rah gayā

zindagī kuchh is tarah kaTtī ga.ī
jaise koī haath maltā rah gayā

bhiiḌ tanhā.ī kī chhuTtī hī nahīñ
har taraf chehra hī chehra rah gayā

maut kyā aatī bichhaḌ kar dost se
dekh lo 'almās' zinda rah gayā

yun bhi kya tha aur ab kya rah gaya
main akela tha akela rah gaya

hijr mein hai kaun kitna be-qarar
lekin in baaton mein ab kya rah gaya

maslahat kafir thi baz aai nahin
dil wo nadan tha ki rota rah gaya

saqi-e-umr-e-do-roza yaad rakh
meri jaanib se taqaza rah gaya

chaarasazo bhul jaunga use
ab sunao zaKHm kitna rah gaya

zindagi kuchh is tarah kaTti gai
jaise koi hath malta rah gaya

bhiD tanhai ki chhuTti hi nahin
har taraf chehra hi chehra rah gaya

maut kya aati bichhaD kar dost se
dekh lo 'almas' zinda rah gaya

Source: Book : Kalam-e-aizaz afzal (Pg. 78) Author : Aizaz Afzal Publication : Usmania Book Depot