ghubar-e-waqt mein be-rang-o-bu paDa hua main

ġhubār-e-vaqt meñ be-rang-o-bū paḌā huā maiñ

khaḌā huuñ arsa-e-āfāq meñ thakā huā maiñ

tirī nigāh-e-nigārish-talab ko kyā mālūm

ki harf-o-saut se guzrā to kyā se kyā huā maiñ

nujūm bujhte hue kah rahe haiñ sub.h ba-ḳhair

magar vo palkeñ aur un meñ kahīñ jaḌā huā maiñ

ye dekhne ko ki fitrat kahāñ badaltī hai

vo rūThne hī lagā thā ki be-vafā huā maiñ

libās shā.irī kartā hai husn-e-qāmat par

ye be-sabab to nahīñ aa.ina banā huā maiñ

havā-e-sub.h-vatan ik zarā kumak ki kahīñ

dikhā.ī duuñ lab-e-ahbāb par khilā huā maiñ

ye dil varaq hai kisī gum-shuda sahīfe kā

so kyā paḌhūñ ḳhat-e-tansīḳh se bharā huā maiñ

hisāb-e-dost dil-e-dost meñ rahā 'tālib'

phir isti.āroñ kināyoñ meñ ḳharch sā huā maiñ

ghubar-e-waqt mein be-rang-o-bu paDa hua main

khaDa hun arsa-e-afaq mein thaka hua main

teri nigah-e-nigarish-talab ko kya malum

ki harf-o-saut se guzra to kya se kya hua main

nujum bujhte hue kah rahe hain subh ba-KHair

magar wo palken aur un mein kahin jaDa hua main

ye dekhne ko ki fitrat kahan badalti hai

wo ruThne hi laga tha ki be-wafa hua main

libas shairi karta hai husn-e-qamat par

ye be-sabab to nahin aaina bana hua main

hawa-e-subh-watan ek zara kumak ki kahin

dikhai dun lab-e-ahbab par khila hua main

ye dil waraq hai kisi gum-shuda sahife ka

so kya paDhun KHat-e-tansiKH se bhara hua main

hisab-e-dost dil-e-dost mein raha 'talib'

phir istiaron kinayon mein KHarch sa hua main