zindagi ke shahr mein jab jab ghana saya hua

zindagī ke shahr meñ jab jab ghanā saaya huā

be-karāñ ġham kā samundar aur bhī gahrā huā

'asr-e-nau kī ādmiyyat kā hai bas ye tajziya

ek shīsha hai zamīñ par Tuut kar bikhrā huā

hādsoñ kā lafz muhmal ho gayā hai āj-kal

ek 'ālam hai salīb-o-dār par laTkā huā

ab kisī kirdār par uñglī uThānā hai muhāl

har bashar is daur meñ hai duudh kā dhoyā huā

aa gayā hai kaun mere dard kī dahlīz par

dil ke darvāze pe kis kī yaad kā khaTkā huā

paḌh rahā hai āj-kal vo dāstān-e-zindagī

phir rahā hai is liye har samt ghabrāyā huā

kho gayā 'betāb-kaifī' gumrahī ke dasht meñ

qāfila aksar nishān-e-rāh se bhaTkā huā

zindagi ke shahr mein jab jab ghana saya hua

be-karan gham ka samundar aur bhi gahra hua

'asr-e-nau ki aadmiyyat ka hai bas ye tajziya

ek shisha hai zamin par Tut kar bikhra hua

hadson ka lafz muhmal ho gaya hai aaj-kal

ek 'alam hai salib-o-dar par laTka hua

ab kisi kirdar par ungli uThana hai muhaal

har bashar is daur mein hai dudh ka dhoya hua

aa gaya hai kaun mere dard ki dahliz par

dil ke darwaze pe kis ki yaad ka khaTka hua

paDh raha hai aaj-kal wo dastan-e-zindagi

phir raha hai is liye har samt ghabraya hua

kho gaya 'betab-kaifi' gumrahi ke dasht mein

qafila aksar nishan-e-rah se bhaTka hua