chaman itna KHizan-asar pahle kab hua tha

chaman itnā ḳhizāñ-āsār pahle kab huā thā

balā kā qaht-e-barg-o-bār pahle kab huā thā

havādis aur maiñ bachpan se go laḌ-bhiḌ rahe the

havādis kā ye gahrā vaar pahle kab huā thā

maiñ jin galiyoñ meñ paiham barsar-e-gardish rahā huuñ

maiñ un galiyoñ meñ itnā ḳhaar pahle kab huā thā

maiñ bīmār-e-mohabbat yuuñ to pahle bhī rahā huuñ

magar is zor kā bīmār pahle kab huā thā

sadā ''nā naa'' kī yuuñ to gosh-zad hotī rahī hai

lab-e-la.alīñ se saaf inkār pahle kab huā thā

tirā lahja thā jānāñ shiir o shabnam se ibārat

tirā lahja abhī talvār pahle kab huā thā

salīb-o-dār pahle bhī bahut vāfir nahīñ the

magar qaht-e-salīb-o-dār pahle kab huā thā

miyāñ-'tahsīñ' tirī rindī kī sun-gun thī hameñ bhī

magar aisā khulā iqrār pahle kab huā thā

chaman itna KHizan-asar pahle kab hua tha

bala ka qaht-e-barg-o-bar pahle kab hua tha

hawadis aur main bachpan se go laD-bhiD rahe the

hawadis ka ye gahra war pahle kab hua tha

main jin galiyon mein paiham barsar-e-gardish raha hun

main un galiyon mein itna KHar pahle kab hua tha

main bimar-e-mohabbat yun to pahle bhi raha hun

magar is zor ka bimar pahle kab hua tha

sada na na ki yun to gosh-zad hoti rahi hai

lab-e-lalin se saf inkar pahle kab hua tha

tera lahja tha jaanan shir o shabnam se ibarat

tera lahja abhi talwar pahle kab hua tha

salib-o-dar pahle bhi bahut wafir nahin the

magar qaht-e-salib-o-dar pahle kab hua tha

miyan-'tahsin' teri rindi ki sun-gun thi hamein bhi

magar aisa khula iqrar pahle kab hua tha