haqaeq kitne ai ahl-e-nazar hum bhul jate hain

haqā.eq kitne ai ahl-e-nazar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

chhupe hote haiñ patthar meñ guhar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

tapish shabnam meñ ho paidā to ham hairān ho jaa.eñ

magar sho.aloñ kā andāz-e-safar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

barasnā aag kā patthar kā ham ko yaad rahtā hai

duāoñ meñ bhī hotā hai asar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

rahā hai muddatoñ se aisā hī andāz-e-naqd apnā

añdhere yaad rahte haiñ sahar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

hamesha yaad rakhte haiñ shikast-o-reḳht kī bāteñ

magar kyā shai hai e.ajāz-e-hunar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

'zahīr' apne qalam kī haiñ karishma-sāziyāñ aisī

ki apnī zaat ke sab ḳhair-o-shar ham bhuul jaate haiñ

haqaeq kitne ai ahl-e-nazar hum bhul jate hain

chhupe hote hain patthar mein guhar hum bhul jate hain

tapish shabnam mein ho paida to hum hairan ho jaen

magar shoalon ka andaz-e-safar hum bhul jate hain

barasna aag ka patthar ka hum ko yaad rahta hai

duaon mein bhi hota hai asar hum bhul jate hain

raha hai muddaton se aisa hi andaz-e-naqd apna

andhere yaad rahte hain sahar hum bhul jate hain

hamesha yaad rakhte hain shikast-o-reKHt ki baaten

magar kya shai hai eajaz-e-hunar hum bhul jate hain

'zahir' apne qalam ki hain karishma-saziyan aisi

ki apni zat ke sab KHair-o-shar hum bhul jate hain