tamam umr ki tanhaiyon pe bhaari thi

tamām umr kī tanhā.iyoñ pe bhārī thī

vo ek shaam tire saath jo guzārī thī

ufuq pe likhtā rahā āftāb tahrīreñ

magar bayāz-e-zamīñ raushnī se aarī thī

safīr-e-sub.h kī aahaT pe ho ga.ī bedār

ġhunūdgī meñ jo ḳhvābīda shab-ḳhumārī thī

usī ne kar diyā paivast piiTh meñ ḳhanjar

vo shaḳhs jis kī rifāqat se piiTh bhārī thī

dil-o-dimāġh ne phir hāshiye tarāsh liye

ka.ī dinoñ se tabī.at meñ nā-gavārī thī

jo baat tark-e-ta.alluq ke moḌ tak pahuñchī

ḳhatā tumhārī nahīñ thī ḳhatā hamārī thī

javāb de diye 'sālim' hayāt ne mujh ko

magar savāliya ik ik javāb-dārī thī

tamam umr ki tanhaiyon pe bhaari thi

wo ek sham tere sath jo guzari thi

ufuq pe likhta raha aaftab tahriren

magar bayaz-e-zamin raushni se aari thi

safir-e-subh ki aahaT pe ho gai bedar

ghunudgi mein jo KHwabida shab-KHumari thi

usi ne kar diya paiwast piTh mein KHanjar

wo shaKHs jis ki rifaqat se piTh bhaari thi

dil-o-dimagh ne phir hashiye tarash liye

kai dinon se tabiat mein na-gawari thi

jo baat tark-e-talluq ke moD tak pahunchi

KHata tumhaari nahin thi KHata hamari thi

jawab de diye 'salim' hayat ne mujh ko

magar sawaliya ek ek jawab-dari thi