koi milne ko na surat jaani-pahchani baDhi

koī milne ko na sūrat jānī-pahchānī baḌhī

shahr meñ raunaq huī to aur vīrānī baḌhī

aql kī mantiq se baḌh kar hai junūñ nukta-navāz

haiñ ayaañ asrār-e-hastī ab ki hairānī baḌhī

jis qadar baḌhtī ga.ī hai umr kam hotī ga.ī

jis qadar ghaTtī ga.ī hai aur nādānī baḌhī

qābil-e-zikr ik yahī qissa hai āzādī ke baa'd

aur pābandī huī hai aur nigarānī baḌhī

kyā huā kyoñ sang-e-dar apnī jagah se haT gayā

us pe sajde ke liye jab merī peshānī baḌhī

mere baa'd ab garmī-e-mahfil ke haiñ sab mudda.ī

bujh gayā sūraj to phir tāroñ kī tābānī baḌhī

ik muamma ban ga.ī 'shaukat' hamārī zindagī

be-sabab taskīñ milī bejā pareshānī baḌhī

koi milne ko na surat jaani-pahchani baDhi

shahr mein raunaq hui to aur virani baDhi

aql ki mantiq se baDh kar hai junun nukta-nawaz

hain ayan asrar-e-hasti ab ki hairani baDhi

jis qadar baDhti gai hai umr kam hoti gai

jis qadar ghaTti gai hai aur nadani baDhi

qabil-e-zikr ek yahi qissa hai aazadi ke ba'd

aur pabandi hui hai aur nigarani baDhi

kya hua kyon sang-e-dar apni jagah se haT gaya

us pe sajde ke liye jab meri peshani baDhi

mere ba'd ab garmi-e-mahfil ke hain sab muddai

bujh gaya suraj to phir taron ki tabani baDhi

ek muamma ban gai 'shaukat' hamari zindagi

be-sabab taskin mili beja pareshani baDhi