raftar-e-umr qat-e-rah-e-iztirab hai

raftār-e-umr qat-e-rah-e-iztirāb hai

is saal ke hisāb ko barq āftāb hai

mīnā-e-mai hai sarv nashāt-e-bahār se

bāl-e-tadrav jalva-e-mauj-e-sharāb hai

zaḳhmī huā hai pāshna pā-e-sabāt kā

ne bhāgne kī guuñ na iqāmat kī taab hai

jādād-e-bāda-noshī-e-rindāñ hai shash-jihat

ġhāfil gumāñ kare hai ki getī ḳharāb hai

nazzāra kyā harīf ho us barq-e-husn kā

josh-e-bahār jalve ko jis ke naqāb hai

maiñ nā-murād dil kī tasallī ko kyā karūñ

maanā ki tere ruḳh se nigah kāmyāb hai

guzrā 'asad' masarrat-e-paiġhām-e-yār se

qāsid pe mujh ko rashk-e-savāl-o-javāb hai

zāhir hai tarz-e-qaid se sayyād kī ġharaz

jo daana daam meñ hai so ashk-e-kabāb hai

be-chashm-e-dil na kar havas-e-sair-e-lāla-zār

ya.anī ye har varaq varaq-e-intiḳhāb hai

raftar-e-umr qat-e-rah-e-iztirab hai

is sal ke hisab ko barq aaftab hai

mina-e-mai hai sarw nashat-e-bahaar se

baal-e-tadraw jalwa-e-mauj-e-sharab hai

zaKHmi hua hai pashna pa-e-sabaat ka

ne bhagne ki gun na iqamat ki tab hai

jadad-e-baada-noshi-e-rindan hai shash-jihat

ghafil guman kare hai ki geti KHarab hai

nazzara kya harif ho us barq-e-husn ka

josh-e-bahaar jalwe ko jis ke naqab hai

main na-murad dil ki tasalli ko kya karun

mana ki tere ruKH se nigah kaamyab hai

guzra 'asad' masarrat-e-paigham-e-yar se

qasid pe mujh ko rashk-e-sawal-o-jawab hai

zahir hai tarz-e-qaid se sayyaad ki gharaz

jo dana dam mein hai so ashk-e-kabab hai

be-chashm-e-dil na kar hawas-e-sair-e-lala-zar

yani ye har waraq waraq-e-intiKHab hai