aasmanon pe ajab aalam-e-paspai tha

āsmānoñ pe 'ajab 'ālam-e-paspā.ī thā

is tamāshe kā magar maiñ hī tamāshā.ī thā

ab bhī azbar hai mujhe tarbiyat-e-maktab-e-dil

dars-e-vahshat ke liye jāma-e-rusvā.ī thā

vasl kā raag bhī kho baiThā nizām-e-āhang

naġhma-e-hijr mirā kis kā tamannā.ī thā

apnī āvāz ke jangal meñ basar kartā huuñ

mere atrāf kabhī ḳhitta-e-tanhā.ī thā

ek vo dar jise lāhaq thā taġhāful kā maraz

ek maiñ thā mujhe āshob-e-jabīñ-sā.ī thā

nusḳha-e-shauq kahīñ ḳhāk-ba-sar thā 'sāqib'

aur darpesh mujhe kār-e-masīhā.ī thā

aasmanon pe 'ajab 'alam-e-paspai tha

is tamashe ka magar main hi tamashai tha

ab bhi azbar hai mujhe tarbiyat-e-maktab-e-dil

dars-e-wahshat ke liye jama-e-ruswai tha

wasl ka rag bhi kho baiTha nizam-e-ahang

naghma-e-hijr mera kis ka tamannai tha

apni aawaz ke jangal mein basar karta hun

mere atraf kabhi KHitta-e-tanhai tha

ek wo dar jise lahaq tha taghaful ka maraz

ek main tha mujhe aashob-e-jabin-sai tha

nusKHa-e-shauq kahin KHak-ba-sar tha 'saqib'

aur darpesh mujhe kar-e-masihai tha