yun bhi kya tha aur ab kya rah gaya

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