kitnī vīrān hai galī dil kī

duur tak koī naqsh-e-pā bhī nahīñ

kitni viran hai gali dil ki

dur tak koi naqsh-e-pa bhi nahin

baḌe qalaq kī baat hai ki tum ise na paḌh sake

hamārī zindagī to ik khulī huī kitāb thī

baDe qalaq ki baat hai ki tum ise na paDh sake

hamari zindagi to ek khuli hui kitab thi

iqtizā vaqt kā jo chāhe karā le varna

ham na the ġhair ke ehsān uThāne vaale

iqtiza waqt ka jo chahe kara le warna

hum na the ghair ke ehsan uThane wale

apnī sanjīda tabī.at pe to akasr 'nāzim'

fikr ke shoḳh ujāle bhī girāñ hote haiñ

apni sanjida tabiat pe to akasr 'nazim'

fikr ke shoKH ujale bhi giran hote hain