Yun toh nahi ki husn ki baatein mahaz mohabbaton mein ho,
Mushk gaalon pe saji haya ke hawale aur bhi honge.
Makhmali hothon ki pakeezgi ke kissey-e-naayab
Jung ke maidaanon mein ye shaukin nazaare aur bhi honge.

Yun toh nahi ki khulti zulfon ka zikr ishq mein hi ho,
Abr-e-baaraan se lipte sitaare aur bhi honge.
Momm ke shabb se pighalte badan se aage nikal kar,
Shayaron ki ghazlon ke sahaare aur bhi honge.

Yun toh nahi ki baarishein ho khushlibasiyon ki chaadar failane ko,
Adaa ki shokhiyon bhhari bahare aur bhi hongi,
Yun bhi nahi ke barsein megh aasu ghol dene ko,
Hijra ke daur mein cheekhein, daharhein aur bhi hongi.

Yun toh nahi ki husn ki baatein mahaz mohhabaton mein ho,
Yun bhi nahi ki husn ki baatein bin mohhabbat na ho!
Kabhi kabhi ho jaati hai bas yun hi,
Baras jaate hain baadal jaise, bas yun hi, bin ehteraam kare,
bin aitbaar hue;
bin jazbaat dikhe, sirf,
Yun hi!

- रितिका