ajib baat hai din bhar ke ehtimam ke baad

ajiib baat hai din bhar ke ehtimām ke ba.ad

charāġh ek bhī raushan huā na shaam ke ba.ad

sunā.ūñ maiñ kise rūdād-e-shahr-e-nā-pursāñ

ki ajnabī huuñ yahāñ muddatoñ qayām ke ba.ad

ḳhirad aliil thī daur-e-sharāb se pahle

qadam meñ aa.ī thī laġhzish shikast-e-jām ke ba.ad

sitam-zarīfī-e-tārīḳh hai ki masnad-gīr

sadā ḳhavās hue inqalāb-e-ām ke ba.ad

habāb soch ke kyā ham-rikāb-e-mauj huā

ki baiTh jaanā thā jab ek aadh gaam ke ba.ad

rahe charāġh darīche meñ dar khulā rakhnā

musāfir aan nikalte haiñ ba.az shaam ke ba.ad

kabhī kabhī to ho 'shaukat' shadīd ye ehsās

ki ham tuyūr qafas meñ paḌe haiñ daam ke ba.ad

ajib baat hai din bhar ke ehtimam ke baad

charagh ek bhi raushan hua na sham ke baad

sunaun main kise rudad-e-shahr-e-na-pursan

ki ajnabi hun yahan muddaton qayam ke baad

KHirad alil thi daur-e-sharab se pahle

qadam mein aai thi laghzish shikast-e-jam ke baad

sitam-zarifi-e-tariKH hai ki masnad-gir

sada KHawas hue inqalab-e-am ke baad

habab soch ke kya ham-rikab-e-mauj hua

ki baiTh jaana tha jab ek aadh gam ke baad

rahe charagh dariche mein dar khula rakhna

musafir aan nikalte hain baz sham ke baad

kabhi kabhi to ho 'shaukat' shadid ye ehsas

ki hum tuyur qafas mein paDe hain dam ke baad