dekhte dekhte jab maut sitare ki hui

dekhte dekhte jab maut sitāre kī huī

phir koī sub.h kahāñ ḳhvāb ke maare kī huī

vo muhājir thā muhājir kā muhājir hī rahā

kab tire shahr meñ tadbīr guzāre kī huī

us ke farmān sabhī dil kī siyāhī ne likhe

aisī tauhīn kahāñ nūr-nazāre kī huī

bujhte bujhte bhī huī ātish-e-jāñ tez bahut

aur jo rasm thī baaqī vo sharāre kī huī

zindagī bhī kisī bāzār kī aurat kī tarah

na biyāhe kī huī aur na kañvāre kī huī

kyā sunā.ūñ tujhe rūdād-e-safar kaisī hai

dhuup aamad kī huī chhāñv ḳhasāre kī huī

yuuñ to vo chāñd bhī be-dāġh nahīñ thā 'ḳhurshīd'

aur mujh se bhī ḳhatā ek ishāre kī huī

dekhte dekhte jab maut sitare ki hui

phir koi subh kahan KHwab ke mare ki hui

wo muhajir tha muhajir ka muhajir hi raha

kab tere shahr mein tadbir guzare ki hui

us ke farman sabhi dil ki siyahi ne likhe

aisi tauhin kahan nur-nazare ki hui

bujhte bujhte bhi hui aatish-e-jaan tez bahut

aur jo rasm thi baqi wo sharare ki hui

zindagi bhi kisi bazar ki aurat ki tarah

na biyahe ki hui aur na kanware ki hui

kya sunaun tujhe rudad-e-safar kaisi hai

dhup aamad ki hui chhanw KHasare ki hui

yun to wo chand bhi be-dagh nahin tha 'KHurshid'

aur mujh se bhi KHata ek ishaare ki hui