ye tamannā thī ki ham itne suḳhnavar hote
ik ġhazal kahte to ābād ka.ī ghar hote

dūriyāñ itnī diloñ meñ to na hotīñ yārab
phail jaate ye jazīre to samundar hote

apne hāthoñ pe muqaddar ke navishte bhī paḌh
na sahī ma.anī zarā lafz to behtar hote

dil pe ik vahī aur ilhām kā rahtā hai samāñ
ham agar riñd na hote to payambar hote

ham agar dil na jalāte to na jalte ye charāġh
ham na rote jo lahū aa.ine meñ patthar hote

ham agar jām-ba-kaf raqs na karte rahte
terī rāhoñ meñ sitāre na gul-e-tar hote

ghar banā baiThe bayābāñ meñ divāne varna
paañv uTh jaate to jibrīl kā shahpar hote

sūrateñ yuuñ to na yāroñ kī rulātī rahtīñ
ai ġham-e-marg ye sadme to na dil par hote

ham rahe garche tahī-dast hī jāfar-'tāhir'
bas meñ ye baat bhī kab thī ki abūzar hote

ye tamanna thi ki hum itne suKHnawar hote
ek ghazal kahte to aabaad kai ghar hote

duriyan itni dilon mein to na hotin yarab
phail jate ye jazire to samundar hote

apne hathon pe muqaddar ke nawishte bhi paDh
na sahi mani zara lafz to behtar hote

dil pe ek wahi aur ilham ka rahta hai saman
hum agar rind na hote to payambar hote

hum agar dil na jalate to na jalte ye charagh
hum na rote jo lahu aaine mein patthar hote

hum agar jam-ba-kaf raqs na karte rahte
teri rahon mein sitare na gul-e-tar hote

ghar bana baiThe bayaban mein diwane warna
panw uTh jate to jibril ka shahpar hote

suraten yun to na yaron ki rulati rahtin
ai gham-e-marg ye sadme to na dil par hote

hum rahe garche tahi-dast hi jafar-'tahir'
bas mein ye baat bhi kab thi ki abuzar hote