Zikr-e shab-e firaaq se wehshat usay bhi thee,
Meri tarah kisi se muhabbat usay bhi thee.
Mujh ko bhi shoq tha naye chehron ki deed ka,
Rasta badal k chalne ki aadal usay bhi thee.
Us raat dair tak wo raha mahav-e guftagoo,
Masroof main bhi kam tha faraagat usay bhi thee.
Mujh se bichhar k shahar main ghul mil gaya wo shakhs,
Haalaanke shahar bhar se adaawat usay bhi thee.
Wo mujh se barh k zabt ka aadi tha jee gaya,
Warna her aik saans qayamat usay bhi thee.
Sunta tha wo bhi sab se puraani kahaaniyaan’
Shayad rifaaqaton ki zaroorat usay bhi thee.
Tanha husa safar main to mujh pe khula ye bhaid,
Saaye se pyar, dhoop se nafrat usay bhi thee.
Mohsin’ main us se keh na saka yun bhi haal-e dil,
Dar-pesh aik taaza museebat usay bhi thee..
***