Tamaasha kuchh yun hi be-asar sa reh gaya,

par khaamoshi dil ke paar hui.

Har rang hi feeka pad gaya,

Zaalim waqt ki aisi maar hui.

tabaahi ka manzar bardasht hai ab dil-e-buzhdil ko,

tabaahi jo roz, bar bar hui.

kami kis kis cheez ki gine ye rooh-e-naacheez,

iski fitrat mein toh bas zillat beshumar hui.

jo aankh kabhi seh bhi na saki muskurahat meri,

janaazey pe mere jhoothey hi royi, zaar-zaar hui.

mere ibtisaam ko nazar andaaz barabar kiya,

mere ibtila ki kahaani tera ishtihaar hui.

roshan zaroor kee aftab-e-haseen ne har dopahar,

jo tanhaa raat mein na aaye toh kya iftikhaar hui.

ye toh hogi khataa ki tum aadam kaho khud ko,

bedaar ho, waqoof! ke ab aadmiyat bhi sharamsaar hui.

Tamaasha kuchh yun hi be-asar sa reh gaya,

par khaamoshi dil ke paar hui.