KHwab mein koi mujhko aas dilane baiTha tha

ḳhvāb meñ koī mujh ko aas dilāne baiThā thā

jaagā to maiñ ḳhud apne hī sirhāne baiThā thā

yūñhī rukā thā dam lene ko, tum ne kyā samjhā?

haar nahīñ maanī thī bas sustāne baiThā thā

ḳhud bhī lahūluhān huā dil, mujhe bhī zaḳhm diye

maiñ bhī kaise vahshī ko samjhāne baiThā thā

laakh jatan karne par bhī kam huā na dil kā bojh

kaisā bhārī patthar maiñ sarkāne baiThā thā

taare kirnoñ kī rath par laa.e the us kī yaad

chāñd bhī ḳhvāboñ kā chandan mahkāne baiThā thā

na.e baras kī ḳhushiyoñ meñ mashġhūl the sab, aur maiñ

ga.e baras kī choToñ ko sahlāne baiThā thā

vo to kal jhankār se parakh liyā us gyānī ne

maiñ to pītal ke sikke chamkāne baiThā thā

dushman jitne aa.e un ke ḳhatā hue sab tiir

lekin apnoñ kā har tiir nishāne baiThā thā

qissoñ ko sach mānñe vāle, dekh liyā anjām?

pāgal jhuuT kī tāqat se Takrāne baiThā thā

mat pūchho kitnī shiddat se yaad aa.ī thī maañ

aaj maiñ jab chaTnī se roTī khāne baiThā thā

apnā qusūr samajh nahīñ aayā jitnā ġhaur kiyā

maiñ to sachche dil se hī pachhtāne baiThā thā

ain usī dam ḳhatm huī thī mohlat jab 'irfān'

ḳhud ko toḌ chukā thā aur banāne baiThā thā

KHwab mein koi mujh ko aas dilane baiTha tha

jaga to main KHud apne hi sirhane baiTha tha

yunhi ruka tha dam lene ko, tum ne kya samjha?

haar nahin mani thi bas sustane baiTha tha

KHud bhi lahuluhan hua dil, mujhe bhi zaKHm diye

main bhi kaise wahshi ko samjhane baiTha tha

lakh jatan karne par bhi kam hua na dil ka bojh

kaisa bhaari patthar main sarkane baiTha tha

tare kirnon ki rath par lae the us ki yaad

chand bhi KHwabon ka chandan mahkane baiTha tha

nae baras ki KHushiyon mein mashghul the sab, aur main

gae baras ki choTon ko sahlane baiTha tha

wo to kal jhankar se parakh liya us gyani ne

main to pital ke sikke chamkane baiTha tha

dushman jitne aae un ke KHata hue sab tir

lekin apnon ka har tir nishane baiTha tha

qisson ko sach manne wale, dekh liya anjam?

pagal jhuT ki taqat se Takrane baiTha tha

mat puchho kitni shiddat se yaad aai thi man

aaj main jab chaTni se roTi khane baiTha tha

apna qusur samajh nahin aaya jitna ghaur kiya

main to sachche dil se hi pachhtane baiTha tha

ain usi dam KHatm hui thi mohlat jab 'irfan'

KHud ko toD chuka tha aur banane baiTha tha