shayan-e-zindagi na the hum moatabar na the

shāyān-e-zindagī na the ham mo'atabar na the

haañ kam-nazar the itne magar kam-nazar na the

ab ke baras jo phuul khilā kāġhzī hī thā

ab ke to duur duur kahīñ barg-e-tar na the

har phuul ek zaḳhm thā har shāḳh ek laash

goyā ki raah meñ thiiñ salībeñ shajar na the

bādal uThe to ret ke zarre baras paḌe

ham ko bhigo ga.e haiñ vo dāman jo tar na the

kahte the ek jū-e-ravāñ hai chaman chaman

dekhā to bastiyoñ ke kināre bhī tar na the

Takrā ke sar ko apnā lahū aap chāTte

achchhā huā ki dasht meñ dīvār-o-dar na the

dariyā kā siina chiir ke ubhre jo sat.h par

dāman meñ sañg-reze the 'aḳhtar' guhar na the

shayan-e-zindagi na the hum mo'atabar na the

han kam-nazar the itne magar kam-nazar na the

ab ke baras jo phul khila kaghzi hi tha

ab ke to dur dur kahin barg-e-tar na the

har phul ek zaKHm tha har shaKH ek lash

goya ki rah mein thin saliben shajar na the

baadal uThe to ret ke zarre baras paDe

hum ko bhigo gae hain wo daman jo tar na the

kahte the ek ju-e-rawan hai chaman chaman

dekha to bastiyon ke kinare bhi tar na the

Takra ke sar ko apna lahu aap chaTte

achchha hua ki dasht mein diwar-o-dar na the

dariya ka sina chir ke ubhre jo sath par

daman mein sang-reze the 'aKHtar' guhar na the