KHud apni zat se insan be-KHabar kyon hai

ḳhud apnī zaat se insān be-ḳhabar kyoñ hai

shu.ūr-e-dīda-varī hai to kam-nazar kyoñ hai

jo aa.ina tirī zarb-e-nigāh sah na sakā

us aa.ine pe abhī ḳhat-e-mustaqar kyoñ hai

kabhī kā chhoḌ chukā huuñ dayār-e-shauq magar

ye mere saath lagī gard-e-rahguzar kyoñ hai

darāz silsila-e-ārzū bahut hai magar

mujhe batāo hayāt itnī muḳhtasar kyoñ hai

jo kal kī baat hai vo aaj kyoñ nahīñ hotī

ye itnā fāsla az shaam tā sahar kyoñ hai

jalā.e baiThā huuñ maiñ apne fikr-o-fan kā charāġh

ye merā zarf hai yāroñ ko dard-e-sar kyoñ hai

fareb kitnā ba-nām-e-ḳhulūs khaa.e koī

har ek baat tirī ġhair mo'atabar kyoñ hai

baḌī ajiib hai us aadmī kī fitrat bhī

kushāda zehn agar hai to kam-nazar kyoñ hai

KHud apni zat se insan be-KHabar kyon hai

shuur-e-dida-wari hai to kam-nazar kyon hai

jo aaina teri zarb-e-nigah sah na saka

us aaine pe abhi KHat-e-mustaqar kyon hai

kabhi ka chhoD chuka hun dayar-e-shauq magar

ye mere sath lagi gard-e-rahguzar kyon hai

daraaz silsila-e-arzu bahut hai magar

mujhe batao hayat itni muKHtasar kyon hai

jo kal ki baat hai wo aaj kyon nahin hoti

ye itna fasla az sham ta sahar kyon hai

jalae baiTha hun main apne fikr-o-fan ka charagh

ye mera zarf hai yaron ko dard-e-sar kyon hai

fareb kitna ba-nam-e-KHulus khae koi

har ek baat teri ghair mo'atabar kyon hai

baDi ajib hai us aadmi ki fitrat bhi

kushada zehn agar hai to kam-nazar kyon hai