masala

''patthar kī zabāñ'' kī shā.era ne

ik mahfil-e-sher-o-shā.erī meñ

jab nazm sunāte mujh ko dekhā

kuchh soch ke dil meñ muskurā.ī

jab mez par ham mile to us ne

baḌh kar mire haath aise thāme

jaise mujhe khojtī ho kab se

phir mujh se kahā ki aaj, 'parvīn'!

jab sher sunāte tum ko dekhā

maiñ ḳhud ko bahut hī yaad aa.ī

vo vaqt ki jab tumhārī sūrat

maiñ bhī yūñhī sher kah rahī thī

likhtī thī isī tarah kī nazmeñ

par ab to vo saarī nazmeñ ġhazleñ

guzre hue ḳhvāb kī haiñ bāteñ!

maiñ sab ko Disown kar chukī huuñ!

''patthar kī zabāñ'' kī shā.era ke

chambelī se narm haath thāme

''ḳhushbū'' kī safīr sochtī thī

dar-pesh havāoñ ke safar meñ

pal pal kī rafīq-e-rāh mere

andar kī ye sāda-lauh 'Alice'

hairat kī jamīl vādiyoñ se

vahshat ke muhīb jañgaloñ meñ

aa.egī to us kā phūl-lahja

kyā jab bhī sabā-nafas rahegā!?

vo ḳhud ko Disown kar sakegī!?

patthar ki zaban ki shaera ne

ek mahfil-e-sher-o-shaeri mein

jab nazm sunate mujh ko dekha

kuchh soch ke dil mein muskurai

jab mez par hum mile to us ne

baDh kar mere hath aise thame

jaise mujhe khojti ho kab se

phir mujh se kaha ki aaj, 'parwin'!

jab sher sunate tum ko dekha

main KHud ko bahut hi yaad aai

wo waqt ki jab tumhaari surat

main bhi yunhi sher kah rahi thi

likhti thi isi tarah ki nazmen

par ab to wo sari nazmen ghazlen

guzre hue KHwab ki hain baaten!

main sab ko Disown kar chuki hun!

patthar ki zaban ki shaera ke

chambeli se narm hath thame

KHushbu ki safir sochti thi

dar-pesh hawaon ke safar mein

pal pal ki rafiq-e-rah mere

andar ki ye sada-lauh 'Alice'

hairat ki jamil wadiyon se

wahshat ke muhib jangalon mein

aaegi to us ka phul-lahja

kya jab bhi saba-nafas rahega!?

wo KHud ko Disown kar sakegi!?