raqs ki raat

raqs kī raat kisī ġhamza-e-uryāñ kī kiran

is liye ban na sakī rāh-e-tamannā kī dalīl

ki abhī duur kisī des meñ ik nanhā charāġh

jis se tanvīr mire sīna-e-ġham-nāk meñ hai

TimTimātā hai is andeshe meñ shāyad ki sahar ho jaa.e

aur koī lauT ke aa hī na sake!

raqs kī raat koī daur-e-tarab

ban na saktā thā sitāroñ kī ḳhudā.ī gardish?

mehvar-e-hāl bhī ho, jāda-e-ā.inda bhī

aur donoñ meñ vo paivastati-e-shauq bhī ho

jo kabhī sāhil o dariyā meñ na thii,

phir bhī haa.il rahe yuuñ buad-e-azīm

lab hileñ aur suḳhan āġhāz na ho

haath baḌh jaa.eñ magar lāmisā be-jān rahe?

tujhe ma.alūm nahīñ,

ab bhī har sub.h darīche meñ se yuuñ jhāñktā huuñ

jaise TuuTe hue taḳhte se koī tiira nasīb

saḳht tūfān meñ hasrat se ufuq ko dekhe:

kaash ubhar aa.e kahīñ se vo safīna jo mujhe

is ġham-e-marg-e-tah-e-āb se āzād kare

raqs kī shab kī mulāqāt se itnā to huā

dāman-e-zīst se maiñ aaj bhī vābasta huuñ,

lekin is taḳhta-e-nāzuk se ye ummīd kahāñ

ki ye chashm-o-lab-e-sāhil ko kabhī chuum sake,

raqs ki raat kisi ghamza-e-uryan ki kiran

is liye ban na saki rah-e-tamanna ki dalil

ki abhi dur kisi des mein ek nanha charagh

jis se tanwir mere sina-e-gham-nak mein hai

TimTimata hai is andeshe mein shayad ki sahar ho jae

aur koi lauT ke aa hi na sake!

raqs ki raat koi daur-e-tarab

ban na sakta tha sitaron ki KHudai gardish?

mehwar-e-haal bhi ho, jada-e-ainda bhi

aur donon mein wo paiwastati-e-shauq bhi ho

jo kabhi sahil o dariya mein na thi,

phir bhi hail rahe yun buad-e-azim

lab hilen aur suKHan aaghaz na ho

hath baDh jaen magar lamisa be-jaan rahe?

tujhe malum nahin,

ab bhi har subh dariche mein se yun jhankta hun

jaise TuTe hue taKHte se koi tera nasib

saKHt tufan mein hasrat se ufuq ko dekhe:

kash ubhar aae kahin se wo safina jo mujhe

is gham-e-marg-e-tah-e-ab se aazad kare

raqs ki shab ki mulaqat se itna to hua

daman-e-zist se main aaj bhi wabasta hun,

lekin is taKHta-e-nazuk se ye ummid kahan

ki ye chashm-o-lab-e-sahil ko kabhi chum sake,