havā kī zad pe charāġh-e-shab-e-fasāna thā
magar hameñ bhī usī se diyā jalānā thā

hameñ bhī yaad na aa.ī bahār-e-ishva-tarāz
use bhī hijr kā mausam bahut suhānā thā

safar azaab sahī dasht-e-gumrahī kā magar
kaTī tanāb to ḳhema ujaḌ hī jaanā thā

hamīñ ne raqs kiyā naġhma-e-fanā par bhī
hameñ hī palkoñ pe hijrat kā baar uThānā thā

usī kī guuñj hai tār-e-nafas meñ ab ke miyāñ
sadā-e-hū ko bhī varna kise jagānā thā

ham aise ḳhāk-nashīnoñ kā zikr kyā ki hameñ
lahū kā qarz to har haal meñ chukānā thā

vo mere ḳhvāb churā kar bhī ḳhush nahīñ 'ajmal'
vo ek ḳhvāb lahū meñ jo phail jaanā thā

hawa ki zad pe charagh-e-shab-e-fasana tha
magar hamein bhi usi se diya jalana tha

hamein bhi yaad na aai bahaar-e-ishwa-taraaz
use bhi hijr ka mausam bahut suhana tha

safar azab sahi dasht-e-gumrahi ka magar
kaTi tanab to KHema ujaD hi jaana tha

hamin ne raqs kiya naghma-e-fana par bhi
hamein hi palkon pe hijrat ka bar uThana tha

usi ki gunj hai tar-e-nafas mein ab ke miyan
sada-e-hu ko bhi warna kise jagana tha

hum aise KHak-nashinon ka zikr kya ki hamein
lahu ka qarz to har haal mein chukana tha

wo mere KHwab chura kar bhi KHush nahin 'ajmal'
wo ek KHwab lahu mein jo phail jaana tha