mil sakegī ab bhī dād-e-ābla-pā.ī to kyā
fāsle kam ho ga.e manzil qarīb aa.ī to kyā

hai vahī jabr-e-asīrī aur vahī ġham kā qafas
dil pe ban aa.ī to kyā ye ruuh ghabrā.ī to kyā

apnī be-tābī-e-dil kā ḳhud tamāshā ban ga.e
aap kī mahfil ke bante ham tamāshā.ī to kyā

baat to jab hai ki saarā gulistāñ hañsne lage
fasl-e-gul meñ chand phūloñ kī hañsī aa.ī to kyā

laao in be-kaifiyoñ hī se nikāleñ rāh-e-kaif
vaqt ab legā koī pur-kaif añgḌā.ī to kyā

kam-nigāhī ne use kuchh aur gahrā kar diyā
vo chhupāte hī raheñ rañg-e-shanāsā.ī to kyā

phir zarā sī der meñ chauñkā.egā ḳhvāb-e-sahar
āḳhir-e-shab jāgne ke ba.ad niiñd aa.ī to kyā

beḌiyāñ vahm-e-ta.alluq kī na.ī pahnā ga.e
dost aa kar kāTte zanjīr tanhā.ī to kyā

shorish-e-afkār se 'ejāz' dāmānda sahī
chhin sakegī phir bhī fikr-o-fan kī ra.anā.ī to kyā

mil sakegi ab bhi dad-e-abla-pai to kya
fasle kam ho gae manzil qarib aai to kya

hai wahi jabr-e-asiri aur wahi gham ka qafas
dil pe ban aai to kya ye ruh ghabrai to kya

apni be-tabi-e-dil ka KHud tamasha ban gae
aap ki mahfil ke bante hum tamashai to kya

baat to jab hai ki sara gulistan hansne lage
fasl-e-gul mein chand phulon ki hansi aai to kya

lao in be-kaifiyon hi se nikalen rah-e-kaif
waqt ab lega koi pur-kaif angDai to kya

kam-nigahi ne use kuchh aur gahra kar diya
wo chhupate hi rahen rang-e-shanasai to kya

phir zara si der mein chaunkaega KHwab-e-sahar
aaKHir-e-shab jagne ke baad nind aai to kya

beDiyan wahm-e-talluq ki nai pahna gae
dost aa kar kaTte zanjir tanhai to kya

shorish-e-afkar se 'ejaz' damanda sahi
chhin sakegi phir bhi fikr-o-fan ki ranai to kya