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