sar-e-ashjār tahrīr havā achchhī nahīñ lagtī
hameñ patjhaḌ meñ gulshan kī fazā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

galī-kūchoñ pe ye kaisā sukūt-e-marg taarī hai
fazā-e-shahr-e-be-saut-o-sadā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

pas-e-tasvīr ho jab ek rañg-e-ātish-o-āhan
tirī tasvīr ai duniyā zarā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

vahī hai bhuuk ahl-e-zar kī lekin log kahte haiñ
bharā ho peT to koī ġhizā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

ta.ajjub hai hameñ un par jinheñ apne gulistāñ kī
zamīñ achchhī nahīñ lagtī fazā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

adhūrā hai abhī zauq-e-tamāshā-e-jamāl apnā
koī sūrat sar-e-shahr-e-vafā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

kare kyā chāragar aise marīzoñ kā jinheñ 'shāhid'
ilaaj achchhā nahīñ lagtā davā achchhī nahīñ lagtī

sar-e-ashjar tahrir hawa achchhi nahin lagti
hamein patjhaD mein gulshan ki faza achchhi nahin lagti

gali-kuchon pe ye kaisa sukut-e-marg tari hai
faza-e-shahr-e-be-saut-o-sada achchhi nahin lagti

pas-e-taswir ho jab ek rang-e-atish-o-ahan
teri taswir ai duniya zara achchhi nahin lagti

wahi hai bhuk ahl-e-zar ki lekin log kahte hain
bhara ho peT to koi ghiza achchhi nahin lagti

tajjub hai hamein un par jinhen apne gulistan ki
zamin achchhi nahin lagti faza achchhi nahin lagti

adhura hai abhi zauq-e-tamasha-e-jamal apna
koi surat sar-e-shahr-e-wafa achchhi nahin lagti

kare kya chaaragar aise marizon ka jinhen 'shahid'
ilaj achchha nahin lagta dawa achchhi nahin lagti