jo naqsh hai hasti ka dhoka nazar aata hai

jo naqsh hai hastī kā dhokā nazar aatā hai

parde pe musavvir hī tanhā nazar aatā hai

nairañg-e-tamāshā vo jalva nazar aatā hai

āñkhoñ se agar dekho parda nazar aatā hai

lau sham-e-haqīqat kī apnī hī jagah par hai

fānūs kī gardish se kyā kyā nazar aatā hai

ai parda-nashīñ zid hai kyā chashm-e-tamannā ko

tū daftar-e-gul meñ bhī rusvā nazar aatā hai

nazzāra bhī ab gum hai be-ḳhud hai tamāshā.ī

ab kaun kahe is ko jalva nazar aatā hai

jo kuchh thī yahāñ raunaq sab bād-e-chaman se thī

ab kunj-e-qafas mujh ko suunā nazar aatā hai

ehsās meñ paidā hai phir rañg-e-gulistānī

phir daaġh koī dil meñ taaza nazar aatā hai

thī fard-e-amal 'asġhar' kyā dast-e-mashiyyat meñ

ik ek varaq is kā saadā nazar aatā hai

jo naqsh hai hasti ka dhoka nazar aata hai

parde pe musawwir hi tanha nazar aata hai

nairang-e-tamasha wo jalwa nazar aata hai

aankhon se agar dekho parda nazar aata hai

lau sham-e-haqiqat ki apni hi jagah par hai

fanus ki gardish se kya kya nazar aata hai

ai parda-nashin zid hai kya chashm-e-tamanna ko

tu daftar-e-gul mein bhi ruswa nazar aata hai

nazzara bhi ab gum hai be-KHud hai tamashai

ab kaun kahe is ko jalwa nazar aata hai

jo kuchh thi yahan raunaq sab baad-e-chaman se thi

ab kunj-e-qafas mujh ko suna nazar aata hai

ehsas mein paida hai phir rang-e-gulistani

phir dagh koi dil mein taza nazar aata hai

thi fard-e-amal 'asghar' kya dast-e-mashiyyat mein

ek ek waraq is ka sada nazar aata hai