rah-gum-karda hain qadmon ke nishan hote hue

rāh-gum-karda haiñ qadmoñ ke nishāñ hote hue

be-gharī kā dard sahte haiñ makāñ hote hue

kab talak karte raheñge shikva-e-kam-mā.egī

apne qadmoñ meñ zamīn-o-āsmāñ hote hue

zulmatoñ meñ qaid ho kar rah ga.ī hai zindagī

ilm-o-fan ke nuur kā sail-e-ravāñ hote hue

be-zarī kī dhund meñ gum ho ga.ī ye zindagī

daulat-e-husn-o-jamāl-e-zar-fashāñ hote hue

rāstoñ kā jurm kyā hai manziloñ kī kyā ḳhatā

qaum jab ḳhud gum hai mīr-e-kārvāñ hote hue

mausamoñ ke rang kī pahchān bhī ham ko nahīñ

muntazir phūloñ ke haiñ daur-e-ḳhizāñ hote hue

kyā kareñ ham be-kafan lāshoñ ke a.adād-o-shumār

āriz-o-lab kī sunahrī dāstāñ hote hue

apne hāthoñ ke qalam bhī ab ugalte haiñ lahū

shahd-e-lab husn-e-adā tarz-e-bayāñ hote hue

inhitāt aisā ki sharm aatī hai apne aap se

ham zamīñ par haiñ nishān-e-āsmāñ hote hue

kyoñ hoñ sharminda bhalā tahzīb kī qadreñ 'nadīm'

apne ghar meñ daulat-e-urdu-zabāñ hote hue

rah-gum-karda hain qadmon ke nishan hote hue

be-ghari ka dard sahte hain makan hote hue

kab talak karte rahenge shikwa-e-kam-maegi

apne qadmon mein zamin-o-asman hote hue

zulmaton mein qaid ho kar rah gai hai zindagi

ilm-o-fan ke nur ka sail-e-rawan hote hue

be-zari ki dhund mein gum ho gai ye zindagi

daulat-e-husn-o-jamal-e-zar-fashan hote hue

raston ka jurm kya hai manzilon ki kya KHata

qaum jab KHud gum hai mir-e-karwan hote hue

mausamon ke rang ki pahchan bhi hum ko nahin

muntazir phulon ke hain daur-e-KHizan hote hue

kya karen hum be-kafan lashon ke aadad-o-shumar

aariz-o-lab ki sunahri dastan hote hue

apne hathon ke qalam bhi ab ugalte hain lahu

shahd-e-lab husn-e-ada tarz-e-bayan hote hue

inhitat aisa ki sharm aati hai apne aap se

hum zamin par hain nishan-e-asman hote hue

kyon hon sharminda bhala tahzib ki qadren 'nadim'

apne ghar mein daulat-e-urdu-zaban hote hue