kis ko malum tha ek roz ki yun hona tha

kis ko ma.alūm thā ik roz ki yuuñ honā thā

mustaqil zabt kā anjām junūñ honā thā

umr bhar ziist ke kāġhaz pe mashaqqat likhnā

ya.anī ik shaḳhs kā is tarah bhī ḳhuuñ honā thā

be-hisī miltī mujhe shahr meñ jiine ke liye

yā mirā dast-e-hunar dast-e-fusūñ honā thā

fāsla qurb kī saa.at meñ simaT saktā thā

sar jhukā thā to tirā dil bhī nigūñ honā thā

bunte rahnā thā 'ra.īs' aas ke tāne-bāne

kuchh to jiine ke liye vaj.h-e-sukūñ honā thā

kis ko malum tha ek roz ki yun hona tha

mustaqil zabt ka anjam junun hona tha

umr bhar zist ke kaghaz pe mashaqqat likhna

yani ek shaKHs ka is tarah bhi KHun hona tha

be-hisi milti mujhe shahr mein jine ke liye

ya mera dast-e-hunar dast-e-fusun hona tha

fasla qurb ki saat mein simaT sakta tha

sar jhuka tha to tera dil bhi nigun hona tha

bunte rahna tha 'rais' aas ke tane-bane

kuchh to jine ke liye wajh-e-sukun hona tha