ek dagh-e-tamanna hai to ek zaKHm-e-wafa hai

ik dāġh-e-tamannā hai to ik zaḳhm-e-vafā hai

tanhā sā ye dil kitne sharāroñ meñ ghirā hai

aatā hai nazar tum ko jo haala sā sar-e-bām

kuchh aur nahīñ merī umīdoñ kā diyā hai

ye baat nahīñ sirf ki chehre hī na.e haiñ

is shahr ke logoñ kā har andāz nayā hai

jo ḳhaar garāñ-māya mile rāh-e-vafā meñ

baḌh kar unheñ iḳhlās kī palkoñ se chunā hai

phir paḌne lagī hai dar-e-ehsās pe dastak

dekhūñ to sahī kaun hai kyoñ chīḳh rahā hai

kis moḌ pe le aa.ī hai ai gardish-e-ayyām

har samt lapakte hue sho.aloñ kī havā hai

tum anjum-o-mahtāb pe pahuñche to huā kyā

jab dil ke shabistāñ meñ añdherā hī rahā hai

mumkin ho to raushan rakho ehsās kī qindīl

kab chāñd sitāroñ ne bhalā saath diyā hai

kuchh log to gir kar bhī sañbhal jaate haiñ 'at.har'

yaañ ek hī Thokar pe jigar kaañp uThā hai

ek dagh-e-tamanna hai to ek zaKHm-e-wafa hai

tanha sa ye dil kitne shararon mein ghira hai

aata hai nazar tum ko jo haala sa sar-e-baam

kuchh aur nahin meri umidon ka diya hai

ye baat nahin sirf ki chehre hi nae hain

is shahr ke logon ka har andaz naya hai

jo KHar garan-maya mile rah-e-wafa mein

baDh kar unhen iKHlas ki palkon se chuna hai

phir paDne lagi hai dar-e-ehsas pe dastak

dekhun to sahi kaun hai kyon chiKH raha hai

kis moD pe le aai hai ai gardish-e-ayyam

har samt lapakte hue shoalon ki hawa hai

tum anjum-o-mahtab pe pahunche to hua kya

jab dil ke shabistan mein andhera hi raha hai

mumkin ho to raushan rakho ehsas ki qindil

kab chand sitaron ne bhala sath diya hai

kuchh log to gir kar bhi sanbhal jate hain 'athar'

yan ek hi Thokar pe jigar kanp uTha hai