koī Thokar is ne jab khaa.ī na thī
zindagī ye raah par aa.ī na thī

aap kī bāteñ thiiñ bāteñ hī faqat
aap kī bātoñ meñ gahrā.ī na thī

har qadam par ranj-o-ġham the muntazir
kis jagah merī pazīrā.ī na thī

zindagī thī ik sukūt-e-mustaqil
mushkiloñ se jab shanāsā.ī na thī

aap kī yādeñ thiiñ dil ke aas paas
zindagī meñ koī tanhā.ī na thī

ek bhī puurī na ho paa.ī 'karan'
kaun sī us ne qasam khaa.ī na thī

koi Thokar is ne jab khai na thi
zindagi ye rah par aai na thi

aap ki baaten thin baaten hi faqat
aap ki baaton mein gahrai na thi

har qadam par ranj-o-gham the muntazir
kis jagah meri pazirai na thi

zindagi thi ek sukut-e-mustaqil
mushkilon se jab shanasai na thi

aap ki yaaden thin dil ke aas pas
zindagi mein koi tanhai na thi

ek bhi puri na ho pai 'karan'
kaun si us ne qasam khai na thi

Source: Book : Gulzar-e-Sukhan (Pg. 34) Author : Karan Singh Karan Publication : Karan Singh Karan (2014) Edition : 2014