ḳhvāb to khulte the mujh par dar koī khultā na thā
āsmāñ sab khul chuke the par koī khultā na thā

sāmne se saare manzar saaf dikhte the magar
ek manzar aisā ki andar koī khultā na thā

jaane kaise shahr meñ apne qadam paḌne lage
band dil ke log the khul kar koī khultā na thā

gū-magū ke din the vo masjid koī chaltī na thī
ḳhauf kī devī kā Dar mandir koī khultā na thā

ab jidhar se bhī maiñ guzrūñ dekhte haiñ mujh ko log
mujh pe aise din bhī guzre dar koī khultā na thā

dekhtā rahtā thā shab bhar āsmānoñ kī taraf
dīda-e-ḳhūñ-bār se manzar koī khultā na thā

mil hī jaanā thā mujhe apne lahū kā bhī surāġh
bad-nasībī thī mirī ḳhanjar koī khultā na thā

ḳhvāb dekhā ārzū-e-shahr meñ vo 'iftiḳhār'
sab guzarte the magar mujh par koī khultā na thā

KHwab to khulte the mujh par dar koi khulta na tha
aasman sab khul chuke the par koi khulta na tha

samne se sare manzar saf dikhte the magar
ek manzar aisa ki andar koi khulta na tha

jaane kaise shahr mein apne qadam paDne lage
band dil ke log the khul kar koi khulta na tha

gu-magu ke din the wo masjid koi chalti na thi
KHauf ki dewi ka Dar mandir koi khulta na tha

ab jidhar se bhi main guzrun dekhte hain mujh ko log
mujh pe aise din bhi guzre dar koi khulta na tha

dekhta rahta tha shab bhar aasmanon ki taraf
dida-e-KHun-bar se manzar koi khulta na tha

mil hi jaana tha mujhe apne lahu ka bhi suragh
bad-nasibi thi meri KHanjar koi khulta na tha

KHwab dekha aarzu-e-shahr mein wo 'iftiKHar'
sab guzarte the magar mujh par koi khulta na tha