mil sakegi ab bhi dad-e-abla-pai to kya

mil sakegī ab bhī dād-e-ābla-pā.ī to kyā

fāsle kam ho ga.e manzil qarīb aa.ī to kyā

hai vahī jabr-e-asīrī aur vahī ġham kā qafas

dil pe ban aa.ī to kyā ye ruuh ghabrā.ī to kyā

apnī be-tābī-e-dil kā ḳhud tamāshā ban ga.e

aap kī mahfil ke bante ham tamāshā.ī to kyā

baat to jab hai ki saarā gulsitāñ hañsne lage

fasl-e-gul meñ chand phūloñ kī hañsī aa.ī to kyā

laao in be-kaifiyoñ hī se nikāleñ rāh-e-kaif

vaqt ab legā koī pur-kaif añgḌā.ī to kyā

kam-nigāhī ne use kuchh aur gahrā kar diyā

vo chhupāte hī raheñ rañg-e-shanāsā.ī to kyā

phir zarā sī der meñ chauñkā.egā ḳhvāb-e-sahar

āḳhir-e-shab jāgne ke ba.ad niiñd aa.ī to kyā

beḌiyāñ vahm-e-ta.alluq kī na.ī pahnā ga.e

dost aa kar kāTte zanjīr tanhā.ī to kyā

shorish-e-afkār se 'e'jāz' dāmānda sahī

chhin sakegī phir bhī fikr-o-fan kī rā'nā.ī to kyā

mil sakegi ab bhi dad-e-abla-pai to kya

fasle kam ho gae manzil qarib aai to kya

hai wahi jabr-e-asiri aur wahi gham ka qafas

dil pe ban aai to kya ye ruh ghabrai to kya

apni be-tabi-e-dil ka KHud tamasha ban gae

aap ki mahfil ke bante hum tamashai to kya

baat to jab hai ki sara gulsitan hansne lage

fasl-e-gul mein chand phulon ki hansi aai to kya

lao in be-kaifiyon hi se nikalen rah-e-kaif

waqt ab lega koi pur-kaif angDai to kya

kam-nigahi ne use kuchh aur gahra kar diya

wo chhupate hi rahen rang-e-shanasai to kya

phir zara si der mein chaunkaega KHwab-e-sahar

aaKHir-e-shab jagne ke baad nind aai to kya

beDiyan wahm-e-talluq ki nai pahna gae

dost aa kar kaTte zanjir tanhai to kya

shorish-e-afkar se 'e'jaz' damanda sahi

chhin sakegi phir bhi fikr-o-fan ki ra'nai to kya