qadmoñ se itnā duur kināra kabhī na thā
nā-qābil-e-ubūr ye dariyā kabhī na thā

tum sā hasīñ in āñkhoñ ne dekhā kabhī na thā
lekin ye sach nahīñ koī tum sā kabhī na thā

hai zikr-e-yār kyuuñ shab-e-zindāñ se duur duur
ai ham-nashīñ ye tarz ġhazal kā kabhī na thā

kamre meñ dil ke us ke alāva koī nahīñ
hairān huuñ ki aisā añdherā kabhī na thā

kis ne bisāt-e-bahs ke mohre badal diye
tanhā to thā vo pahle bhī gūñgā kabhī na thā

imroz-e-intizār kā fardā to kal bhī hai
andoh-e-imshabī kā saverā kabhī na thā

har zehn meñ hamesha sulagtā hai ye savāl
āḳhir huā vo kyuuñ jise honā kabhī na thā

dīvāna thā bhaTak gayā gum ho gayā hai qais
ḳhālī magar kajāva-e-lailā kabhī na thā

kal bhī isī dayār meñ thā raushnī kā qaht
aisā magar charāġh kā dhandā kabhī na thā

pighlī kuchh aur barf to ik aur shahr-e-ḳhvāb
yuuñ bah gayā nasheb meñ goyā kabhī na thā

barsā hai kis babūl pe abr-e-bahār-ḳhez
itnā harā to zaḳhm-e-tamannā kabhī na thā

us ne bhī iltifāt se dekhā thā kab 'ḳhalish'
maiñ ne bhī us ke baare meñ sochā kabhī na thā

qadmon se itna dur kinara kabhi na tha
na-qabil-e-ubur ye dariya kabhi na tha

tum sa hasin in aankhon ne dekha kabhi na tha
lekin ye sach nahin koi tum sa kabhi na tha

hai zikr-e-yar kyun shab-e-zindan se dur dur
ai ham-nashin ye tarz ghazal ka kabhi na tha

kamre mein dil ke us ke alawa koi nahin
hairan hun ki aisa andhera kabhi na tha

kis ne bisat-e-bahs ke mohre badal diye
tanha to tha wo pahle bhi gunga kabhi na tha

imroz-e-intizar ka farda to kal bhi hai
andoh-e-imshabi ka sawera kabhi na tha

har zehn mein hamesha sulagta hai ye sawal
aaKHir hua wo kyun jise hona kabhi na tha

diwana tha bhaTak gaya gum ho gaya hai qais
KHali magar kajawa-e-laila kabhi na tha

kal bhi isi dayar mein tha raushni ka qaht
aisa magar charagh ka dhanda kabhi na tha

pighli kuchh aur barf to ek aur shahr-e-KHwab
yun bah gaya nasheb mein goya kabhi na tha

barsa hai kis babul pe abr-e-bahaar-KHez
itna hara to zaKHm-e-tamanna kabhi na tha

us ne bhi iltifat se dekha tha kab 'KHalish'
main ne bhi us ke bare mein socha kabhi na tha