lā.eq-e-dastār āḳhir koī sar honā hī thā
ik na ik din to ye qissa muḳhtasar honā hī thā

dekh kar ashk-e-nadāmat aa gayā rahmat ko josh
ab to merī har ḳhatā ko dar-guzar honā hī thā

chashm pur-nam thī na mere hoñToñ par shikva-gila
mere ġham se har kisī ko be-ḳhabar honā hī thā

inqilāb-e-vaqt kā parcham thā mere haath meñ
zīnat-e-dār-o-rasan to merā sar honā hī thā

dāstāñ merī zabāñ se sun rahe the apnī log
merā har hamla yaqīnan kārgar honā hī thā

apnī be-nūrī pe nargis kab talak rotī bhalā
ik-na-ik din to chaman meñ diida var honā hī thā

sohbat-e-ahl-e-hunar meñ umr guzrī hai tamām
fikr-e-'māhir' ko kabhī to mo'atabar honā hī thā

laeq-e-dastar aaKHir koi sar hona hi tha
ek na ek din to ye qissa muKHtasar hona hi tha

dekh kar ashk-e-nadamat aa gaya rahmat ko josh
ab to meri har KHata ko dar-guzar hona hi tha

chashm pur-nam thi na mere honTon par shikwa-gila
mere gham se har kisi ko be-KHabar hona hi tha

inqilab-e-waqt ka parcham tha mere hath mein
zinat-e-dar-o-rasan to mera sar hona hi tha

dastan meri zaban se sun rahe the apni log
mera har hamla yaqinan kargar hona hi tha

apni be-nuri pe nargis kab talak roti bhala
ik-na-ik din to chaman mein dida war hona hi tha

sohbat-e-ahl-e-hunar mein umr guzri hai tamam
fikr-e-'mahir' ko kabhi to mo'atabar hona hi tha