mish.al-ba-kaf kabhī to kabhī dil-ba-dast thā
maiñ sail-e-tīrgī meñ tajallī-parast thā
har ik kamand arsa-e-āfāq hī pe thī
lekin buland jitnā huā utnā past thā
thī hausle kī baat zamāne meñ zindagī
qadmoñ kā fāsla bhī yahāñ ek jast thā
bikhre hue the log ḳhud apne vajūd meñ
insāñ kī zindagī kā ajab bandobast thā
marne ke ba.ad azmat o shohrat se fā.eda
lekin jahāñ tamām hī murda-parast thā
sarmāya-e-hayāt the kuchh naqd-e-dāġh-e-dil
sach baat to hai ye ki bahut tañg-dast thā
arz-e-niyāz-e-shauq se thā be-niyāz dil
mulk-e-havas meñ 'ashk' akelā hī mast thā
mishal-ba-kaf kabhi to kabhi dil-ba-dast tha
main sail-e-tirgi mein tajalli-parast tha
har ek kamand arsa-e-afaq hi pe thi
lekin buland jitna hua utna past tha
thi hausle ki baat zamane mein zindagi
qadmon ka fasla bhi yahan ek jast tha
bikhre hue the log KHud apne wajud mein
insan ki zindagi ka ajab bandobast tha
marne ke baad azmat o shohrat se faeda
lekin jahan tamam hi murda-parast tha
sarmaya-e-hayat the kuchh naqd-e-dagh-e-dil
sach baat to hai ye ki bahut tang-dast tha
arz-e-niyaz-e-shauq se tha be-niyaz dil
mulk-e-hawas mein 'ashk' akela hi mast tha
