aaina-dar-aina

is baar vo milā to ajab us kā rañg thā

alfāz meñ tarañg na lahja dabañg thā

ik soch thī ki bikhrī huī ḳhāl-o-ḳhat meñ thī

ik dard thā ki jis kā shahīd añg añg thā

ik aag thī ki raakh meñ poshīda thī kahīñ

ik jism thā ki ruuh se masrūf-e-jañg thā

maiñ ne kahā ki yaar tumheñ kyā huā hai ye

us ne kahā ki umr-e-ravāñ kī atā hai ye

maiñ ne kahā ki umr-e-ravāñ to sabhī kī hai

us ne kahā ki fikr-o-nazar kī sazā hai ye

maiñ ne kahā ki sochtā rahtā to maiñ bhī huuñ

us ne kahā ki ā.īna rakkhā huā hai

dekhā to merā apnā hī aks-e-jalī thā vo

vo shaḳhs maiñ thā aur 'himāyat-alī' thā vo

is bar wo mila to ajab us ka rang tha

alfaz mein tarang na lahja dabang tha

ek soch thi ki bikhri hui KHal-o-KHat mein thi

ek dard tha ki jis ka shahid ang ang tha

ek aag thi ki rakh mein poshida thi kahin

ek jism tha ki ruh se masruf-e-jang tha

main ne kaha ki yar tumhein kya hua hai ye

us ne kaha ki umr-e-rawan ki ata hai ye

main ne kaha ki umr-e-rawan to sabhi ki hai

us ne kaha ki fikr-o-nazar ki saza hai ye

main ne kaha ki sochta rahta to main bhi hun

us ne kaha ki aaina rakkha hua hai

dekha to mera apna hi aks-e-jali tha wo

wo shaKHs main tha aur 'himayat-ali' tha wo