kaun kis ke sath rahta hai makan hote hue bhi

kaun kis ke saath rahtā hai makāñ hote hue bhī

kaun chaltā hai zamīñ par āsmāñ hote hue bhī

kaun jaane ḳhair kā pahlū kahīñ raushan ho shāyad

ham tumhāre shahr meñ haiñ be-amāñ hote hue bhī

tez bārish meñ bhī kitne pyaas ke maare paḌe haiñ

dhuup meñ jalte haiñ kitne sā.ebāñ hote hue bhī

is añdherī raat meñ vo chāñd niklegā yahāñ se

ik darīcha ain-mumkin hai gumāñ hote hue bhī

nau-shagufta ik shajar kā qad nikalnā hai qayāmat

aur us kā be-ḳhabar honā javāñ hote hue bhī

koī titlī gul kā chehra chūmtī rahtī hai aksar

phailtī rahtī hai ḳhushbū rā.egāñ hote hue bhī

is ghane jangal kā jalnā apnī sarhad se nikalnā

bastiyoñ ko yaad hai sab kuchh dhuāñ hote hue bhī

māhī-e-be-āb sā betāb hai saarā zamāna

aur maiñ shādāb huuñ ātash-bajāñ hote hue bhī

zindagī maiñ ne tumheñ har haal meñ ābād rakkhā

rote hañste jiite marte be-nishāñ hote hue bhī

rāh-e-sheristāñ se guzrā hai koī 'ḳhurshīd-akbar'

'mīr' o 'ġhālib' kā ilāqa darmiyāñ hote hue bhī

kaun kis ke sath rahta hai makan hote hue bhi

kaun chalta hai zamin par aasman hote hue bhi

kaun jaane KHair ka pahlu kahin raushan ho shayad

hum tumhaare shahr mein hain be-aman hote hue bhi

tez barish mein bhi kitne pyas ke mare paDe hain

dhup mein jalte hain kitne saeban hote hue bhi

is andheri raat mein wo chand niklega yahan se

ek daricha ain-mumkin hai guman hote hue bhi

nau-shagufta ek shajar ka qad nikalna hai qayamat

aur us ka be-KHabar hona jawan hote hue bhi

koi titli gul ka chehra chumti rahti hai aksar

phailti rahti hai KHushbu raegan hote hue bhi

is ghane jangal ka jalna apni sarhad se nikalna

bastiyon ko yaad hai sab kuchh dhuan hote hue bhi

mahi-e-be-ab sa betab hai sara zamana

aur main shadab hun aatash-bajaan hote hue bhi

zindagi main ne tumhein har haal mein aabaad rakkha

rote hanste jite marte be-nishan hote hue bhi

rah-e-sheristan se guzra hai koi 'KHurshid-akbar'

'mir' o 'ghaalib' ka ilaqa darmiyan hote hue bhi