mishal-ba-kaf kabhi to kabhi dil-ba-dast tha

mish.al-ba-kaf kabhī to kabhī dil-ba-dast thā

maiñ sail-e-tīrgī meñ tajallī-parast thā

har ik kamand arsa-e-āfāq hī pe thī

lekin buland jitnā huā utnā past thā

thī hausle kī baat zamāne meñ zindagī

qadmoñ kā fāsla bhī yahāñ ek jast thā

bikhre hue the log ḳhud apne vajūd meñ

insāñ kī zindagī kā ajab bandobast thā

marne ke ba.ad azmat o shohrat se fā.eda

lekin jahāñ tamām hī murda-parast thā

sarmāya-e-hayāt the kuchh naqd-e-dāġh-e-dil

sach baat to hai ye ki bahut tañg-dast thā

arz-e-niyāz-e-shauq se thā be-niyāz dil

mulk-e-havas meñ 'ashk' akelā hī mast thā

mishal-ba-kaf kabhi to kabhi dil-ba-dast tha

main sail-e-tirgi mein tajalli-parast tha

har ek kamand arsa-e-afaq hi pe thi

lekin buland jitna hua utna past tha

thi hausle ki baat zamane mein zindagi

qadmon ka fasla bhi yahan ek jast tha

bikhre hue the log KHud apne wajud mein

insan ki zindagi ka ajab bandobast tha

marne ke baad azmat o shohrat se faeda

lekin jahan tamam hi murda-parast tha

sarmaya-e-hayat the kuchh naqd-e-dagh-e-dil

sach baat to hai ye ki bahut tang-dast tha

arz-e-niyaz-e-shauq se tha be-niyaz dil

mulk-e-hawas mein 'ashk' akela hi mast tha