ham ne jab dard bharī apnī kahānī likkhī
log kahne lage rūdād purānī likkhī

maiñ ne ik peḌ samundar ke jazīre se liyā
aur chaTTān pe paanī kī ravānī likkhī

ajnabī tarz liye maiñ nahīñ aayā huuñ yahāñ
dāstāñ apnī tumhārī hī zabānī likkhī

chashm-e-mahbūb ko nargis kā laqab tū ne diyā
maiñ ne sheroñ meñ magar ''rāt kī rānī'' likkhī

kaun sā vaqt amal kā hai javānī ke sivā?
niiñd kab aatī hai? pūchhā to javānī likkhī

raat jab aa.ī to din bhar kā fasāna likkhā
jab chalī bād-e-sahar shaam suhānī likkhī

bāġh-e-firdaus kī lorī maiñ sunātā kaise?
mirī qismat meñ thī āshufta-bayānī likkhī

ḳhushk thā merā qalam kuchh nahīñ likh paatā thā
likhne baiThā to baḌī raam kahānī likkhī

tum ne jab harf ko ḳhvāboñ kā safar kah Daalā
maiñ ne bhī lafz kī ta.abīr-e-ma.ānī likkhī

narm-o-nāzuk thā 'karāmat' tire sheroñ kā mizāj
vaqt paḌne pe magar sho.ala-bayānī likkhī

hum ne jab dard bhari apni kahani likkhi
log kahne lage rudad purani likkhi

main ne ek peD samundar ke jazire se liya
aur chaTTan pe pani ki rawani likkhi

ajnabi tarz liye main nahin aaya hun yahan
dastan apni tumhaari hi zabani likkhi

chashm-e-mahbub ko nargis ka laqab tu ne diya
main ne sheron mein magar raat ki rani likkhi

kaun sa waqt amal ka hai jawani ke siwa?
nind kab aati hai? puchha to jawani likkhi

raat jab aai to din bhar ka fasana likkha
jab chali baad-e-sahar sham suhani likkhi

bagh-e-firdaus ki lori main sunata kaise?
meri qismat mein thi aashufta-bayani likkhi

KHushk tha mera qalam kuchh nahin likh pata tha
likhne baiTha to baDi ram kahani likkhi

tum ne jab harf ko KHwabon ka safar kah Dala
main ne bhi lafz ki tabir-e-maani likkhi

narm-o-nazuk tha 'karamat' tere sheron ka mizaj
waqt paDne pe magar shoala-bayani likkhi