chaaron taraf buland nishan tirgi ka tha

chāroñ taraf buland nishāñ tīrgī kā thā

rakkhā huā fasīl pe sar raushnī kā thā

sar par mire 'azāb-e-zamāna na thā koī

mujh par to ik 'azāb mirī āgahī kā thā

merī hī tarh TuuT ke vo bhī bikhar gayā

merī tarah gumāñ use shīshagarī kā thā

kyā soch kar tum aise safar par nikal paḌe

imkāñ na jis safar se koī vāpsī kā thā

aaya thā lūTne mirā ham-zād bhī mujhe

kis ko ḳhayāl luuT meñ hamsā.egī kā thā

rangoñ ke izhdihām meñ sab rang 'aam the

mumtāz thā to rang tirī sādgī kā thā

manzil-ba-manzil us ke bichhaḌne kā ġham hai kyoñ

raste meñ jis kā saath ghaḌī-do-ghaḌī kā thā

baḌh kar vahāñ bhī shab ne siyāhī uñDel dī

halkā sā shā.iba bhī jahāñ raushnī kā thā

merī kitāb-e-she'r meñ saada jo rah gayā

'mohsin' vahī varaq tū mirī shā'irī meñ thā

chaaron taraf buland nishan tirgi ka tha

rakkha hua fasil pe sar raushni ka tha

sar par mere 'azab-e-zamana na tha koi

mujh par to ek 'azab meri aagahi ka tha

meri hi tarh TuT ke wo bhi bikhar gaya

meri tarah guman use shishagari ka tha

kya soch kar tum aise safar par nikal paDe

imkan na jis safar se koi wapsi ka tha

aaya tha luTne mera ham-zad bhi mujhe

kis ko KHayal luT mein hamsaegi ka tha

rangon ke izhdiham mein sab rang 'am the

mumtaz tha to rang teri sadgi ka tha

manzil-ba-manzil us ke bichhaDne ka gham hai kyon

raste mein jis ka sath ghaDi-do-ghaDi ka tha

baDh kar wahan bhi shab ne siyahi unDel di

halka sa shaiba bhi jahan raushni ka tha

meri kitab-e-she'r mein sada jo rah gaya

'mohsin' wahi waraq tu meri sha'iri mein tha