kyuuñ shahr ujaaḌ sā paḌā thā
kyā sar pe pahāḌ aa paḌā thā

qudrat to gavāh hai ki maidāñ
haare the ki hārnā paḌā thā

thī barf sī raat aur lashkar
be-ḳhemā o be-ridā paḌā thā

kyā bhiiḌ thī kal aur aaj dekhā
sunsān vo rāsta paḌā thā

kyuuñ ḳhemoñ kī aag bujh ga.ī thī
ye raakh se pūchhnā paḌā thā

vo shām-e-sukūt bhī ajab thī
qātil ko pukārnā paḌā thā

thā maal dukāñ meñ hasb-e-taḳhsis
tah-ḳhāna magar aTā paḌā thā

is bāb-e-rasad se rizq-e-taqdīr
le aa.e jo kuchh girā paḌā thā

apne hī mujassame ko toḌā
haath apnā ġhalat bhī kyā paḌā thā

kyun shahr ujaD sa paDa tha
kya sar pe pahaD aa paDa tha

qudrat to gawah hai ki maidan
haare the ki haarna paDa tha

thi barf si raat aur lashkar
be-KHema o be-rida paDa tha

kya bhiD thi kal aur aaj dekha
sunsan wo rasta paDa tha

kyun KHemon ki aag bujh gai thi
ye rakh se puchhna paDa tha

wo sham-e-sukut bhi ajab thi
qatil ko pukarna paDa tha

tha mal dukan mein hasb-e-taKHsis
tah-KHana magar aTa paDa tha

is bab-e-rasad se rizq-e-taqdir
le aae jo kuchh gira paDa tha

apne hi mujassame ko toDa
hath apna ghalat bhi kya paDa tha