shayan-e-zindagi na the ham mo’atabar na the
haan kam-nazar the itne magar kam-nazar na the
ab ke baras jo phuul khila kaghzi hi tha
ab ke to duur duur kahin barg-e-tar na the
har phuul ek zaḳhm tha har shaḳh ek laash
goya ki raah men thiin saliben shajar na the
badal uThe to ret ke zarre baras paḌe
ham ko bhigo gae hain vo daman jo tar na the
kahte the ek ju-e-ravan hai chaman chaman
dekha to bastiyon ke kinare bhi tar na the
Takra ke sar ko apna lahu aap chaTte
achchha hua ki dasht men divar-o-dar na the
dariya ka siina chiir ke ubhre jo sat.h par
daman men sang-reze the ‘aḳhtar’ guhar na the