husn kī rīteñ ishq kī rasmeñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ
shoḳh adā.eñ mub.ham bāteñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

sair hue to hañs lete haiñ bhuuk lagī to rote haiñ
sub.h-e-bahārāñ bhīgī rāteñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

koh samundar sahrā jañgal ḳhuub samajh lete haiñ lekin
kaisī zālim haiñ ye ḳhalā.eñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

sachchā.ī hai in kā maz.hab apnī ḳhatā bhī kah lete haiñ
jhuuT ġhaban dhoke kī rāheñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

pariyoñ ke afsāne sun kar shahzāde ban baiTh ga.e
talḳh haqā.eq vaqt kī shakleñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

lorī se 'ejāz' vo aksar apnā jī bahlāte haiñ
giit ġhazal qit.e aur nazmeñ chhoTe bachche kyā jāneñ

husn ki riten ishq ki rasmen chhoTe bachche kya jaanen
shoKH adaen mubham baaten chhoTe bachche kya jaanen

sair hue to hans lete hain bhuk lagi to rote hain
subh-e-bahaaran bhigi raaten chhoTe bachche kya jaanen

koh samundar sahra jangal KHub samajh lete hain lekin
kaisi zalim hain ye KHalaen chhoTe bachche kya jaanen

sachchai hai in ka mazhab apni KHata bhi kah lete hain
jhuT ghaban dhoke ki rahen chhoTe bachche kya jaanen

pariyon ke afsane sun kar shahzade ban baiTh gae
talKH haqaeq waqt ki shaklen chhoTe bachche kya jaanen

lori se 'ejaz' wo aksar apna ji bahlate hain
git ghazal qite aur nazmen chhoTe bachche kya jaanen