ruk-ruk ke raste mein shajar dekhta raha

ruk-ruk ke rāste meñ shajar dekhtā rahā

pahuñchā jo apne ghar pe to ghar dekhtā rahā

din-bhar to kheltā rahā bachchoñ ke saath phir

paanī meñ ghūr-ghūr ke sar dekhtā rahā

is arsa-e-nigāh meñ izn-e-vafā kahāñ

muddat talak vo merī nazar dekhtā rahā

phir us ne apne chehre se āñkheñ utaar diiñ

āñgan meñ dil ke raqs-e-sharar dekhtā rahā

maujoñ ke ār-pār safīna thā ḳhvāb kā

gahre samundaroñ se sahar dekhtā rahā

bikhre hue vo rang vo uḌtā huā jamāl

zulfoñ ko us kī tā-ba-kamar dekhtā rahā

jholī meñ bhar ke la.al-o-gohar log chal diye

'ajmal' matā.a-e-harf-o-hunar dekhtā rahā

ruk-ruk ke raste mein shajar dekhta raha

pahuncha jo apne ghar pe to ghar dekhta raha

din-bhar to khelta raha bachchon ke sath phir

pani mein ghur-ghur ke sar dekhta raha

is arsa-e-nigah mein izn-e-wafa kahan

muddat talak wo meri nazar dekhta raha

phir us ne apne chehre se aankhen utar din

aangan mein dil ke raqs-e-sharar dekhta raha

maujon ke aar-par safina tha KHwab ka

gahre samundaron se sahar dekhta raha

bikhre hue wo rang wo uDta hua jamal

zulfon ko us ki ta-ba-kamar dekhta raha

jholi mein bhar ke lal-o-gohar log chal diye

'ajmal' mataa-e-harf-o-hunar dekhta raha