taswir wahi hai pas-e-taswir koi aur

tasvīr vahī hai pas-e-tasvīr koī aur

fankār navā-gar hai navāgīr koī aur

bas ḳhvāb hī dekhegā faqat dekhne vaalā

pā.egā magar ḳhvāb kī ta.abīr koī aur

ham log to shatranj ke mohroñ kī tarah haiñ

likhtā hai yahāñ shahr kī taqdīr koī aur

mafhūm badal jaatā hai alfāz kā har baar

likhtā huuñ to ban jaatī hai tahrīr koī aur

buniyād to shahkār kī rakkhī thī kisī ne

ab us pe imārat huī ta.amīr koī aur

har-chand ki tiryāq se matlūb hai tiryāq

is daur meñ hai zahr kī tāsīr koī aur

ham log tire dard ke bele meñ raheñge

le jā.egā sab husn kī jāgīr koī aur

jaatā huuñ kisī aur se milne ke bahāne

hotā hai mire paañv kī zanjīr koī aur

taswir wahi hai pas-e-taswir koi aur

fankar nawa-gar hai nawagir koi aur

bas KHwab hi dekhega faqat dekhne wala

paega magar KHwab ki tabir koi aur

hum log to shatranj ke mohron ki tarah hain

likhta hai yahan shahr ki taqdir koi aur

mafhum badal jata hai alfaz ka har bar

likhta hun to ban jati hai tahrir koi aur

buniyaad to shahkar ki rakkhi thi kisi ne

ab us pe imarat hui tamir koi aur

har-chand ki tiryaq se matlub hai tiryaq

is daur mein hai zahr ki tasir koi aur

hum log tere dard ke bele mein rahenge

le jaega sab husn ki jagir koi aur

jata hun kisi aur se milne ke bahane

hota hai mere panw ki zanjir koi aur