wahi jo rah ka patthar tha be-tarash bhi tha

vahī jo raah kā patthar thā be-tarāsh bhī thā

vo ḳhasta-jāñ hī kabhī ā.īna-qimāsh bhī thā

lahū ke phuul rag-e-jāñ meñ jis se khilte the

vahī to shīsha-e-dil thā ki paash paash bhī thā

bikhar ga.ī haiñ jahāñ TuuT kar ye chaTTāneñ

yahīñ to phuul koī sāhib-e-farāsh bhī thā

uThā.e phirtā thā jis ko salīb kī sūrat

vahī vajūd to ḳhud us kī zinda laash bhī thā

palak jhapakne meñ kuchh ḳhvāb TuuT jaate haiñ

jo but-shikan hai vahī lamha but-tarāsh bhī thā

vo harf-e-nāz ki resham kā taar kahiye jise

vahī to dil ke liye ik hasīñ ḳharāsh bhī thā

adā-e-husn jise kahiye be-ruḳhī 'tanvīr'

usī kī tarz-e-taġhāful kā raaz faash bhī thā

wahi jo rah ka patthar tha be-tarash bhi tha

wo KHasta-jaan hi kabhi aaina-qimash bhi tha

lahu ke phul rag-e-jaan mein jis se khilte the

wahi to shisha-e-dil tha ki pash pash bhi tha

bikhar gai hain jahan TuT kar ye chaTTanen

yahin to phul koi sahib-e-farash bhi tha

uThae phirta tha jis ko salib ki surat

wahi wajud to KHud us ki zinda lash bhi tha

palak jhapakne mein kuchh KHwab TuT jate hain

jo but-shikan hai wahi lamha but-tarash bhi tha

wo harf-e-naz ki resham ka tar kahiye jise

wahi to dil ke liye ek hasin KHarash bhi tha

ada-e-husn jise kahiye be-ruKHi 'tanwir'

usi ki tarz-e-taghaful ka raaz fash bhi tha