wahi tawil si rahen safar wahi tanha

vahī tavīl sī rāheñ safar vahī tanhā

baḌā hujūm hai phir bhī hai zindagī tanhā

tire baġhair ujāle bhī tīra-sāmāñ haiñ

bhaTak rahī hai nigāhoñ kī raushnī tanhā

jahāñ jahāñ bhī ga.ī ġham ke ās-pās rahī

kisī maqām pe dekhī nahīñ ḳhushī tanhā

shu.ūr-e-dīd kā anjām dekhiye kyā ho

hujūm-e-vahm-o-gumāñ aur āgahī tanhā

ḳhud apne shahr meñ bhī ab to ham kuchh aise haiñ

dayār-e-ġhair meñ jaise ik ajnabī tanhā

kisī ne saath nibāhā bhī to bichhaḌne ko

rahī hai apne parāyoñ meñ zindagī tanhā

ḳhud apne-āp se begānagī kā aalam hai

sharīk-e-bazm-e-nigārāñ bhī haiñ 'rishī' tanhā

wahi tawil si rahen safar wahi tanha

baDa hujum hai phir bhi hai zindagi tanha

tere baghair ujale bhi tira-saman hain

bhaTak rahi hai nigahon ki raushni tanha

jahan jahan bhi gai gham ke aas-pas rahi

kisi maqam pe dekhi nahin KHushi tanha

shuur-e-did ka anjam dekhiye kya ho

hujum-e-wahm-o-guman aur aagahi tanha

KHud apne shahr mein bhi ab to hum kuchh aise hain

dayar-e-ghair mein jaise ek ajnabi tanha

kisi ne sath nibaha bhi to bichhaDne ko

rahi hai apne parayon mein zindagi tanha

KHud apne-ap se beganagi ka aalam hai

sharik-e-bazm-e-nigaran bhi hain 'rishi' tanha