zawal-e-fikr-o-fan tha aur main tha

zavāl-e-fikr-o-fan thā aur maiñ thā

ajab qaht-e-suḳhan thā aur maiñ thā

purāne lafz tafsīreñ na.ī thiiñ

ġhazal kā bāñkpan thā aur maiñ thā

ajab rūdād thī mere safar kī

libās-e-be-shikan thā aur maiñ thā

sazā thī imtihāñ thā kyā pata ik

sulagtā agnī ban thā aur maiñ thā

vahī us kī shikāyat thī purānī

vahī merā chalan thā aur maiñ thā

vahī miTTī vahī paanī havā thī

vahī merā vatan thā aur maiñ thā

vo ik lamha ki mere sar pe 'āsif'

bahut dushvār-kun thā aur maiñ thā

zawal-e-fikr-o-fan tha aur main tha

ajab qaht-e-suKHan tha aur main tha

purane lafz tafsiren nai thin

ghazal ka bankpan tha aur main tha

ajab rudad thi mere safar ki

libas-e-be-shikan tha aur main tha

saza thi imtihan tha kya pata ek

sulagta agni ban tha aur main tha

wahi us ki shikayat thi purani

wahi mera chalan tha aur main tha

wahi miTTi wahi pani hawa thi

wahi mera watan tha aur main tha

wo ek lamha ki mere sar pe 'asif'

bahut dushwar-kun tha aur main tha