waqt ki dhul

aaj tū daf.atan sāmne aa ga.ī

terī raftār bād-e-sabā kī tarah

pandrah saal kā dard mahkā ga.ī

maiñ sar-e-rāh hairān sā rah gayā

yād-e-māzī kī shabnam barasne lagī

aur maiñ der tak bhīgtā rah gayā

chāñdnī meñ nahāyā badan thā vahī

chhan rahī thī vahī dūdhiyā raushnī

aa.ina aa.ina pairahan thā vahī

tere tevar tire naaz vaise hī the

ab kisī aur ke vāste hī sahī

muskurāne ke andāz vaise hī the

zindagī terī ḳhush-hāl pahle bhī thī

vaqt kī dhuul to sirf mujh par jamī

tū isī tarah kuchh saal pahle bhī thī

balki kuchh aur bhī dil-nashīñ ho ga.ī

rang khiltā gayā ruḳh nikhartā gayā

mere sheroñ se baḌh kar hasīñ ho ga.ī

dard-e-bechahragī jaan paa.ī na tū

merā ehsās ik zaḳhm se bach gayā

shukr hai mujh ko pahchān paa.ī na tū

aaj tu dafatan samne aa gai

teri raftar baad-e-saba ki tarah

pandrah sal ka dard mahka gai

main sar-e-rah hairan sa rah gaya

yaad-e-mazi ki shabnam barasne lagi

aur main der tak bhigta rah gaya

chandni mein nahaya badan tha wahi

chhan rahi thi wahi dudhiya raushni

aaina aaina pairahan tha wahi

tere tewar tere naz waise hi the

ab kisi aur ke waste hi sahi

muskurane ke andaz waise hi the

zindagi teri KHush-haal pahle bhi thi

waqt ki dhul to sirf mujh par jami

tu isi tarah kuchh sal pahle bhi thi

balki kuchh aur bhi dil-nashin ho gai

rang khilta gaya ruKH nikharta gaya

mere sheron se baDh kar hasin ho gai

dard-e-bechahragi jaan pai na tu

mera ehsas ek zaKHm se bach gaya

shukr hai mujh ko pahchan pai na tu