mirā hī ban ke vo but mujh se āshnā na huā
vo be-niyāz thā itnā to kyuuñ ḳhudā na huā

shikan hamesha jabīñ par rahe to aadat hai
mujhe yaqīñ hai vo mujh se kabhī ḳhafā na huā

tamām umr tirī ham-rahī kā shauq rahā
magar ye rañj ki maiñ mauja-e-sabā na huā

hijāb-e-husn se baḌhtī hai vār-e-uryānī
yahī sabab hai maiñ āzurda-e-hayā na huā

nashāt-e-hijr kā ḳhūgar banā diyā hotā
jafā-e-yār se itnā bhī haq adā na huā

hayāt-o-hijr kā ḳhud maiñ ne intiḳhāb kiyā
maiñ qaid kab thā jo maiñ qaid se rihā na huā

dayār-e-dard meñ dil ne bahut talāsh kiyā
nasīb-e-ishq magar terā naqsh-e-pā na huā

'zahīr' soz-e-darūñ bhī ajab karishma hai
maiñ duur rah ke bhī us se kabhī judā na huā

mera hi ban ke wo but mujh se aashna na hua
wo be-niyaz tha itna to kyun KHuda na hua

shikan hamesha jabin par rahe to aadat hai
mujhe yaqin hai wo mujh se kabhi KHafa na hua

tamam umr teri ham-rahi ka shauq raha
magar ye ranj ki main mauja-e-saba na hua

hijab-e-husn se baDhti hai war-e-uryani
yahi sabab hai main aazurda-e-haya na hua

nashat-e-hijr ka KHugar bana diya hota
jafa-e-yar se itna bhi haq ada na hua

hayat-o-hijr ka KHud main ne intiKHab kiya
main qaid kab tha jo main qaid se riha na hua

dayar-e-dard mein dil ne bahut talash kiya
nasib-e-ishq magar tera naqsh-e-pa na hua

'zahir' soz-e-darun bhi ajab karishma hai
main dur rah ke bhi us se kabhi juda na hua

Issue No. 5-6"