nazm bahut aasan thi pahle

nazm bahut āsān thī pahle

ghar ke aage

pīpal kī shāḳhoñ se uchhal ke

aate jaate

bachchoñ ke bastoñ se nikal ke

rañg-ba-rañgī

chiḌiyoñ kī chahkār meñ Dhal ke

nazm mire ghar jab aatī thī

mere qalam se, jaldī jaldī

ḳhud ko puurā likh jaatī hai

ab sab manzar

badal chuke haiñ

chhoTe chhoTe chaurāhoñ se

chauḌe raste nikal chuke haiñ

na.e na.e bāzār

purāne galī mohalle nigal chuke haiñ

nazm se mujh tak

ab kosoñ lambī duurī hai

in kosoñ lambī duurī meñ

kahīñ achānak

bam phaTte haiñ

kokh meñ maaoñ ke

sote bachche kaTte haiñ

maz.hab aur siyāsat

donoñ

na.e na.e naare raTte haiñ

bahut se shahroñ

bahut se mulkoñ se

ab chal kar

nazm mire ghar jab aatī hai

itnī ziyāda thak jaatī hai

mere likhne kī Table par

ḳhālī kāġhaz ko

ḳhālī hī chhoḌ ke ruḳhsat ho jaatī hai

aur kisī fōtpath pe jā kar

shahr ke sab se būḌhe shahrī kī

palkoñ par!

aañsū ban kar so jaatī hai

nazm bahut aasan thi pahle

ghar ke aage

pipal ki shaKHon se uchhal ke

aate jate

bachchon ke baston se nikal ke

rang-ba-rangi

chiDiyon ki chahkar mein Dhal ke

nazm mere ghar jab aati thi

mere qalam se, jaldi jaldi

KHud ko pura likh jati hai

ab sab manzar

badal chuke hain

chhoTe chhoTe chaurahon se

chauDe raste nikal chuke hain

nae nae bazar

purane gali mohalle nigal chuke hain

nazm se mujh tak

ab koson lambi duri hai

in koson lambi duri mein

kahin achanak

bam phaTte hain

kokh mein maon ke

sote bachche kaTte hain

mazhab aur siyasat

donon

nae nae nare raTte hain

bahut se shahron

bahut se mulkon se

ab chal kar

nazm mere ghar jab aati hai

itni ziyaada thak jati hai

mere likhne ki Table par

KHali kaghaz ko

KHali hi chhoD ke ruKHsat ho jati hai

aur kisi footpath pe ja kar

shahr ke sab se buDhe shahri ki

palkon par!

aansu ban kar so jati hai