ek purani nazm

kuchh nahīñ jāntā

kis tarah aa gayā

maiñ havā ke bhayānak tilismāt meñ

kokh se jin kī taulīd paate haiñ bālishtiye

roz-o-shab har ghaḌī

mujh meñ dar aate haiñ be-ijāzat

khulī dekh kar khiḌkiyāñ aur dar

maut aur zindagī un kā ek khel hai

kyūñki har ek bālishtiyā

maut se qabl jaañ sauñp jaatā hai

apne kisī jā-nashīñ (dūsre) ko

dūsrā tīsrā

aur phir tīsrā chauthe bālishtiye ko

is tarah marte jiite nirākār bālishtiyoñ aur un ke

tilismāt kā silsila

janm se aaj tak sochtā aa rahā huuñ

kitnā majbūr huuñ chāhtā huuñ

magar in tilismāt kā ant maiñ dekh saktā nahīñ

aur an-dekhe bhī un kā sirr-e-ḳhafī mujh ko ma.alūm hai

in tilismāt kā ek qaidī huuñ maiñ

in se bichhḌā to lā-raib mar jā.ūñgā

ye jo bikhre to maiñ ḳhud bikhar jā.ūñgā

...aur phir apnā muñh khol kar

mujh ko sālim nigal jā.egī

ek Daa.in zamīñ

kuchh nahin jaanta

kis tarah aa gaya

main hawa ke bhayanak tilismat mein

kokh se jin ki taulid pate hain baalishtiye

roz-o-shab har ghaDi

mujh mein dar aate hain be-ijazat

khuli dekh kar khiDkiyan aur dar

maut aur zindagi un ka ek khel hai

kyunki har ek baalishtiya

maut se qabl jaan saunp jata hai

apne kisi ja-nashin (dusre) ko

dusra tisra

aur phir tisra chauthe baalishtiye ko

is tarah marte jite nirakar baalishtiyon aur un ke

tilismat ka silsila

janm se aaj tak sochta aa raha hun

kitna majbur hun chahta hun

magar in tilismat ka ant main dekh sakta nahin

aur an-dekhe bhi un ka sirr-e-KHafi mujh ko malum hai

in tilismat ka ek qaidi hun main

in se bichhDa to la-raib mar jaunga

ye jo bikhre to main KHud bikhar jaunga

aur phir apna munh khol kar

mujh ko salim nigal jaegi

ek Dain zamin