ek mushkil kitāb jaisī thī
zindagī ik azaab jaisī thī

ham ko to ḳhaar hī mile lekin
ye sunā thā gulāb jaisī thī

ghūñT dar ghūñT pī to ye jaanā
ek kaḌvī sharāb jaisī thī

aa.ī hisse meñ jo yatīmoñ ke
vo to ḳhāna-ḳharāb jaisī thī

umr bhar ham sahejte the jise
ek ḳhasta kitāb jaisī thī

koī ta.abīr hī na ho jis kī
ik adhūre se ḳhvāb jaisī thī

hai shikasta sī aaj ye lekin
bachpane meñ navāb jaisī thī

tum ne dekhī nahīñ javānī meñ
zindagī āftāb jaisī thī

ek mushkil kitab jaisi thi
zindagi ek azab jaisi thi

hum ko to KHar hi mile lekin
ye suna tha gulab jaisi thi

ghunT dar ghunT pi to ye jaana
ek kaDwi sharab jaisi thi

aai hisse mein jo yatimon ke
wo to KHana-KHarab jaisi thi

umr bhar hum sahejte the jise
ek KHasta kitab jaisi thi

koi tabir hi na ho jis ki
ek adhure se KHwab jaisi thi

hai shikasta si aaj ye lekin
bachpane mein nawab jaisi thi

tum ne dekhi nahin jawani mein
zindagi aaftab jaisi thi

Source: Book : Pathan Shayraat ka Tazkira (Pg. 105) Author : Khan Mohammad Atif Publication : Khan Mohammad Atif (1983) Edition : 1983