ab yahi behtar hai naqsh-e-ab hone de mujhe

ab yahī behtar hai naqsh-e-āb hone de mujhe

yūñhī rusvā ḳhātir-e-ahbāb hone de mujhe

niiñd āñkhoñ meñ parindoñ kī tarah utrī hai aaj

ai nafas āhista chal ġharqāb hone de mujhe

ek TukḌā abr kā phirtā hai mānind-e-ġhazāl

ai mirī chashm-e-havas sairāb hone de mujhe

'umr bhar meñ ek kaam aisā to kar shauq-e-junūñ

maiñ agar dariyā huuñ to be-āb hone de mujhe

maiñ bhī patthar ban ke zer-e-āb so jā.ūñ kahīñ

kab huā aisā ki ab girdāb hone de mujhe

mehrbāñ jangal ke saa.e tū hī de apnī panāh

ḳhvāb āñkhoñ meñ haiñ mahv-e-ḳhvāb hone de mujhe

pyaas kahtī hai ki chal dariyā uThā laa.eñ yahīñ

dard kahtā hai ki ruk pāyāb hone de mujhe

ab yahi behtar hai naqsh-e-ab hone de mujhe

yunhi ruswa KHatir-e-ahbab hone de mujhe

nind aankhon mein parindon ki tarah utri hai aaj

ai nafas aahista chal gharqab hone de mujhe

ek TukDa abr ka phirta hai manind-e-ghazal

ai meri chashm-e-hawas sairab hone de mujhe

'umr bhar mein ek kaam aisa to kar shauq-e-junun

main agar dariya hun to be-ab hone de mujhe

main bhi patthar ban ke zer-e-ab so jaun kahin

kab hua aisa ki ab girdab hone de mujhe

mehrban jangal ke sae tu hi de apni panah

KHwab aankhon mein hain mahw-e-KHwab hone de mujhe

pyas kahti hai ki chal dariya uTha laen yahin

dard kahta hai ki ruk payab hone de mujhe