kya apne shahr mein koi aisa makan hai

kyā apne shahr meñ koī aisā makān hai

samjhūñ jise ki asl meñ vo ik jahān hai

DhūñDo haqīqat is meñ na afsāna hī koī

is kā bayān kuchh nahīñ us kā bayān hai

apnā shi'ār ab hai faqat amn-dushmanī

ye aur baat fāḳhta apnā nishān hai

likhne ko ek harf na kahne ko ek lafz

yuuñ to qalam hai haath meñ muñh meñ zabān hai

vo lams jis ke baa'd zamāne guzar ga.e

vo lams ab bhī taaza hai ab bhī javān hai

ho jā.egā yaqīn sabhoñ kā hī kal jo aaj

merā yaqīn aur sabhoñ kā gumān hai

shatranj kī bisāt ki thī apnī mez par

shatranj kī bisāt ki saarā jahān hai

kya apne shahr mein koi aisa makan hai

samjhun jise ki asl mein wo ek jahan hai

DhunDo haqiqat is mein na afsana hi koi

is ka bayan kuchh nahin us ka bayan hai

apna shi'ar ab hai faqat amn-dushmani

ye aur baat faKHta apna nishan hai

likhne ko ek harf na kahne ko ek lafz

yun to qalam hai hath mein munh mein zaban hai

wo lams jis ke ba'd zamane guzar gae

wo lams ab bhi taza hai ab bhi jawan hai

ho jaega yaqin sabhon ka hi kal jo aaj

mera yaqin aur sabhon ka guman hai

shatranj ki bisat ki thi apni mez par

shatranj ki bisat ki sara jahan hai