baDhte baDhte koi din mein pahle to dariya hue

baḌhte baḌhte koī din meñ pahle to dariyā hue

phir paḌī uftād kuchh aisī ki ham sahrā hue

kitnā samjhāyā ye patthar aur patthar ho ga.e

vā.e-qismat ham bhī kaise daur meñ barpā hue

thī azal se hī ye miTTī tīra-bātin dūñ-sarisht

the hamīñ nādāñ kabhī patthar bhī ā.īna hue

aag barsātā huā āḳhir vo din bhī aa gayā

bhar ga.e rūhoñ meñ sho'le jism angāra hue

sab achānak taj ga.e bastī khule dar chhoḌ kar

chilmaneñ sab bujh ga.iiñ sab baam be-jalva hue

chaukhaToñ par ajnabī qadmoñ kī ubhrīñ āhaTeñ

sīḌhiyāñ dhaḌkīñ chhateñ larzīñ darīche vā hue

chāñd kitne is ufuq par Duub kar ubhre udhar

kitne sūraj is taraf pinhāñ udhar paidā hue

le ga.e tum bhed saare saath ye achchhā huā

tum hue ifshā na un galiyoñ meñ ham rusvā hue

vo jharokā dam-ba-ḳhud gum-sum rahā phir bhī 'bashīr'

maiñ ne sau pūchhā vo roz-o-shab vo lamhe kyā hue

baDhte baDhte koi din mein pahle to dariya hue

phir paDi uftad kuchh aisi ki hum sahra hue

kitna samjhaya ye patthar aur patthar ho gae

wae-qismat hum bhi kaise daur mein barpa hue

thi azal se hi ye miTTi tira-baatin dun-sarisht

the hamin nadan kabhi patthar bhi aaina hue

aag barsata hua aaKHir wo din bhi aa gaya

bhar gae ruhon mein sho'le jism angara hue

sab achanak taj gae basti khule dar chhoD kar

chilmanen sab bujh gain sab baam be-jalwa hue

chaukhaTon par ajnabi qadmon ki ubhrin aahaTen

siDhiyan dhaDkin chhaten larzin dariche wa hue

chand kitne is ufuq par Dub kar ubhre udhar

kitne suraj is taraf pinhan udhar paida hue

le gae tum bhed sare sath ye achchha hua

tum hue ifsha na un galiyon mein hum ruswa hue

wo jharoka dam-ba-KHud gum-sum raha phir bhi 'bashir'

main ne sau puchha wo roz-o-shab wo lamhe kya hue