Anthology: Shayri

Saanson ki mohlat mein, maine sadiyan jee li, Maut aayi toh kaha, 'Thehar, abhi ek ghazal baaki hai.'

Shor itna tha ki apni khamoshi bhi naa sun saka, Main umr bhar apne hi andar ke khandhar mein bhatakta raha.

Aaine se roz poochta hoon, ye ajnabi kaun hai? Chehra mera hi hai, par ismein ab main nahi rehta.

Mitti ke khilaunon si hai ye zindagi ki haqeeqat, Jitna bhi sanwaar lo, aakhir tootkar bikharna hai. Par jo tootne se pehle kisi ko hasa jaaye, Bas usi ka mukammal ye safarnama hai.

Humne kafan bhi dekha hai aur libaas-e-resham bhi, Mitti dono ko ek hi waqaar se choomti hai.

Raakh ho chuka hoon, phir bhi sulagta hai koi kona, Tere ishq ne mujhe mukammal jalne bhi naa diya.

Uski aankhon mein khuda dhoondhne nikle the hum, Kaafir aise hue, ki sajda bhi usi ko kar baithe.

Wo jo ek lafz naa keh saki bhari mehfil mein, Uski khamoshiyon ne mere kaanon mein qayamat likh di.

Tawaayaf si ho gayi hai ye dhadkan mere seene mein, Tera naam sunte hi, betahasha mujra karne lagti hai.

Chhoo kar dekha jo paani ko, toh haath jal gaye mere, Shayad samandar ko bhi mere ishq ki pyaas lag gayi thi.

Humein maykhane ki zaroorat kya, hum toh unki palkon se peete hain, Sharaab toh sirf jism jalati hai, hum toh rooh ke nashe mein jeete hain.

Raat bhar chaand se teri shikayat ki hai maine, Suna hai, kal subah sooraj ne bhi bagaawat ki thi.

Zinda rehne ka hunar toh kab ka bhool chuke hum, Bas ek teri yaad hai, jo nabz chalne ka fareb deti hai.

Meri qabr par aakar usne kaha, 'Utho, bahut der ho gayi', Aur meri khaak ne kafan phaadkar kaha, 'Bas tera intezaar tha'.

Bichhadte waqt usne mudkar nahi dekha mujhe, Aur maine us ek pal mein, apni poori umr guzaar di.

Lakeerein hathon ki mujhse roz ladti hain, Main muqaddar ko apne paseene se badal deta hoon.

Aandhiyon ko zidd thi mera aashiyana phookne ki, Main bhi ziddi tha, chiraagh wahin jalaakar aa gaya.

Kaanch ke gharon mein rehkar jo patthar uchaalte hain, Maine unhein aksar apne hi aks (reflection) se darte dekha hai.

Toofanon ne socha tha, kashti dubo denge meri, Unhein kya pata tha, mallaah ne lehron se hi bagaawat seekhi hai.

Toot kar bikhra, toh patthar sa kathor ho gaya main, Log samjhe the ki sheesha hoon, toh chubh jaunga.

Kitaab-e-zindagi ke kuch panne abhi kore hain doston, Main khoon-e-jigar se abhi kuch aur bhi inqilaab likhunga.

Mere alfaazon ki keemat tum kya lagaoge aye zamane, Maine apna har wo dard becha hai, jise log muskurahat samajhte hain.

Nafraton ke is bazaar mein, main ishq ka saudagar hoon, Tum khanzar khareed lo, main seena liye haazir hoon.

Udaan aisi bharunga ki aasman bhi raasta dega, Ye par kate parinde ka nahi, ek baaz ka hausla hai.

Kahani khatm nahi hui, bas varaq (page) palta hai maine, Abhi toh meri khamoshiyon ka bhi shor machna baaki hai!

Main roz apne wajood ke tukde bator laata hoon, Zindagi mera mizaaj har subah bikher deti hai.

Makaan pukhte the magar neev mein faraib tha, Bhookh ne batlaya ki ameer shehar kitna gareeb tha.

Waqt ki aanch pe jab mere khwaab pighalne lage, Humne aasuon se sek kar, apne iraade garma liye.

Zindagi ek udhaar ki saans thi zamane ke kothay par, Hum aashiq log the, sood (interest) mein poori rooh de aaye.

Ret ki tarah phisal gayi umr haathon se pichhle pehar, Mutthi khol kar dekha, toh sirf tajurbe ki khaak bachi thi.

Uske labon ne jab pehli dafa mera naam pukaara, Khuda kasam, sadiyon ki be-naam duaon ka roza khul gaya.

Ishq ek la-ilaaj marz hai aye tabeeb (doctor), Iska dawa-saaz bhi aakhir isi bimari se marta hai.

Teri zulfon ke saaye mein sadiyan sulaa di hain maine, Log kehte hain dhool ud rahi hai, ye mere ishq ki raakh hai!

Ek jhalak ko teri, aaine bhi tishnagi (thirst) mein taras gaye, Hum toh phir bhi insaan the, palak jhapakte hi fanaa ho gaye.

Woh mere kareeb itna aaya ki saansein atak gayin, Door itna gaya ki wajood hi dafan ho gaya.

Tanhai ne mujhe is qadar apni baahon mein qaid kiya, Ab bheed mein jata hoon toh ragon mein saans ghutti hai.

Aansuon ko bhi ab anaa (ego) aa gayi hai shayad, Meri aankhon ki dehleez par aakar, mud jaate hain.

Andheron ko kosna chhod diya hai maine saahab, Ujale dhondhne nikla tha, aaftaab (sun) ko jalaa baitha.

Ek poori sadi lag gayi khud se mulaqaat karne mein, Aur waqt ne ek pal mein mujhe mujhi se ajnabi kar diya.

Bheed mein sab chal rahe the ek hi simt (direction) aankhein moond kar, Maine mud kar dekha, haqeeqat jaani, aur umr bhar tanha ho gaya.

Tufaanon ki aukaat mere hausalon ke aage kuch bhi nahi, Main us mitti ka putla hoon, jiske aage samandar sookh jate hain.

Gira zaroor hoon, par maidaan abhi maazrat (apology) chahta hai, Aye shikast (defeat), thehar ja, meri junoon ki aakhiri baazi baaki hai.

Mujhe dubaane ka khwaab paalne wale apni kashityan bachaayein, Maine tairna hi bawandar (hurricane) se cheekh-cheekh kar seekha hai.

Zameen dabe paon mere kadmon ki gard (dust) choomti hai, Asmaan akele mein mujhse meri udaan ka raaz poochta hai.

Aag se khelne ka shauk nahi hai meri ungalion ko, Bas in bedard andheron ne mujhe mashal (torch) banne par majboor kar diya.

Mere lafzon mein woh aag hai aye sunne waalo, Jo sheeshe ke khilaunon mein jalzala (earthquake) laa de.

Jin jakhmon ko tum chupate rahe resham ke libaas mein zindagi bhar, Maine unhi sarakte hue dardon ko aaj shayari bana diya.

Mukhtasar (short) si is zindagi ka bohot lamba safar tha mera, Log nishaan dhondhte rahe, aur main aage aage raste bana gaya.

Qalam ko khoon-e-jigar mein dubokar haqeeqat kuredta hoon main, In shiyahi ki makkhar lakeeron mein, ye aag-e-dil bayaan kahan hota hai!

Aur zinda rehne ki wajah matt pooch ae-zindagi ab mujhse... Bas ab saansein todne se pehle, tera guroor todna baaki hai!

Saari umr qataaron mein khade rahe ek katre sukoon ke liye, Jab baari aayi, toh waqt ne haath se pyala hi chheen liya.

Aaine ki bheed mein yahan har shakhs nanga hai saahab, Ye resham aur khaddar ke libaas toh sirf nazaron ka dhokha hain.

Zindagi ne jab poonchha ki mere kis sitam se naaraaz hai tu? Maine muskura kar kaha, mujhe toh tere har fareb se mohabbat ho gayi hai.

Kagaz ki naav ab saahil ke paaniyon se darti hai bohot, Umr ke thapedon ne mere andar ke bachpan ko daraa diya hai.

Maut toh sirf ek aakhiri hichki ka naam hai doston, Asal haqeeqat toh ye hai ki yahan log roz thoda-thoda karke marte hain.

Teri aankhon ke samandar mein doobna toh bohot aasaan tha, Masla toh ret pe tadapti hui meri pyasi rooh ka tha.

Tumne chhua toh barf ka wajood pighal kar paani ho gaya mera, Varna is zamaane ne toh sadiyon tak mujhe patthar hi samjha tha.

Humein ishq ki ibtida (beginning) se kabhi koi garz (meaning) nahi thi, Hum toh sirf uske naam par shuru hokar, usi par khatam hona chahte the.

Woh haath chhuda kar gaye toh haathon ki lakeerein mit gayin meri, Ab taqdeer dekhta hoon toh sirf unka dhundhla sa chehra nazar aata hai.

Mujhe aashiq keh kar meri ibadaat ko badnaam na karo, Main toh woh kashkol (begging bowl) hoon, jismein usne ek nigaah daal di thi.

Meri tanhai ka aalam kabhi in kamre ki deewaron se poochho, Jo mere rone se kai ghante pehle hi namm (wet) ho jaati hain.

Dil ke aangan mein patjhad (autumn) is qadar aakar thehra hai, Ki ab bahaar aaye bhi, toh phool darkhaast karte hain toot jaane ki.

Ek arse se kisi ne aakar mere dil ka haal nahi poocha, Ab seene mein dhadkan chalne ki aawaz bhi mujhe shor lagti hai.

Gham-e-hayaat mein aansu bhi ab tijaarat (business) ban gaye hain, Jo jitna zyada rota hai, bheed utni hi zor se taaliyan bajati hai.

Andar itna shor hai ki bahar ka sannata mere kaanon mein chubhta hai, Main apne hi dimaag ke qaid-khane mein chup-chaap umr-qaid kaat raha hoon.

Girte girte bhi suraj ne aasmaan ko khoon-alood (blood-stained) kar diya, Tum kya sochte ho, is deewane ki haar itni khamosh hogi?

Meri khamoshi ko meri haar samajhne walo, zara hoshiyaar rehna, Samandar jab bilkul chup hota hai, toh woh sunaami taiyaar karta hai.

Hawaaon ne poora zor laga liya tha is chiragh ko bujhane mein, Unhe kya maloom tha, ye roshni tel se nahi, meri zidd se jal rahi hai.

Mujhe rond (crush) kar aage badhne ki badi jaldi thi zamane ko, Unke talwon (soles) pe lag kar, main aaj in aasmaanon tak pohoch gaya.

Bikhre hue kaanch par nange paon chalna meri aadat ban chuki hai, Mere pairon ke chhalon mein ab dard nahi, mere iradon ki aag basti hai.

Agar mere lafzon ne tumhari rooh ko abhi tak chhela nahi hai, Toh samajh lena is bujurg shayar ne abhi sach bolna shuru nahi kiya.

Dard ko lafzon mein bech kar daulat kamane ka hunar seekh liya hai, Dekho is toote hue aashiq ki mehfil mein aaj kitne ameer baithe hain.

Ye faqat meri shayariyaan nahi, meri zinda laash ke bikhre tukde hain, Jinhe chugte-chugte tum sab yahan wajd (trance) mein jhoom rahe ho.

Main us aakhiri sadi se aaya hoon jahan lafz khoon se likhe jaate the, Tabhi toh mere har sher par tumhari ragon ka paani ubalne lagta hai.

Abhi toh maine faqat apne aasuon ki numayish ki hai is mehfil mein, Jis din main khul ke muskuraya... us din is shehar mein janaze uthenge!

Waqt ki tijori mein umr ka khazana sambhal kar rakha tha humne, Ginti poori hone se pehle hi, ye zindagi diwaliya (bankrupt) ho gayi.

Janazon pe rone walon ki bheed toh bohot dekhi hai maine is shehar mein, Zinda insaan ki siskariyan sunne, yahan koi padosi nahi aata.

Zameen ke us paar koi aasmaan nahi hota hai doston, Ye khaak ka khilauna hai insaan, isse aakhir khaak mein hi rona hai.

Har chehre par yahan, ibraat (warning) ka ek aur chehra pehna hua hai, Ab toh mera aaina bhi mujhse sacchaai bolne se katraane laga hai.

Palkon par khwaab tange the, ragon mein haqeeqat ka zehar beh raha tha, Zindagi ne humein zinda rakhne ka, kya khoob mazaak kiya tha.

Usne zulfon ko jhatka toh hawaaon ne jaise saans rok li thi, Humein maloom na tha, khuda bhi zameen par aakar sota hai.

Jism ki aakhiri qaid se azaad ho chuki hai ab meri mohabbat, Ab tu mujhe chhooyega bhi, toh main sirf rooh mein mehsus hounga.

Tere labon ka lams (touch) jis din se in hothon pe thehra hai, Maine tab se paani peena chhod diya hai, kahin tera asar na dhul jaye.

Meri namaz-e-ishq ki azaan uski aakhiri khamoshi ne di thi, Sajda uske kadmon mein mukkamal hua, aur jannat khud-ba-khud naseeb ho gayi.

Mujhe ishq mein mit jaane ka khauf na dikha ae-zamaane, Main us mitti se bana hoon, jise sirf kisi ka hone ke liye khaak hona qubool hai.

Tanhai itni thi ki apne hi aakhiri saans tutne ki aawaaz sun li maine, Aur logo ne bahar aakar taaliyan bajayi aur kaha, 'dekho shayar so raha hai'.

Gham ka samandar mere dil ke aangan mein khelta raha umr bhar, Aur pyas itni thi meri, ki meri aankhein ek meethi boond ko taras gayin.

Andheron se dosti itni gehri aur mukkamal ho gayi hai meri, Ki roshni ki ek kiran bhi ab wajood pe nasoor (bleeding ulcer) si lagti hai.

Humne us shakhs ko apne dardon ka aakhiri marham samjha tha, Usne namak ko ungliyon mein lagakar, wafa ki saari rasam ada kar di.

Bheed mein saath chalne ka dikhawa main bhi khoob shaan se karta hoon, Par sirf meri parchhai janti hai, main andar se kitni buri tarah thehar gaya hoon.

Mujhe jalane se pehle aag ki aukaat theek se naap lena zamaane walo, Maine chingariyon ko apne khoon aur pashine se bujhna sikhaya hai.

Muqaddar ki syaahi pe shak hone laga hai ab us khuda ko bhi, Usne dard likha tha mere haq mein, maine muskurakar poori kismat badal di.

Hawaaon ko bada garoor tha ki wo in chiragon ka gala ghont dengi, Chirag bhi ziddi nikla, usne tufaan ko hi apni mashal (torch) bana liya.

Meri udaan naapne nikle ho, toh aasmaan ko thoda aur ooncha kar lo, Main udta apne paron se nahi, meri ragon mein ubalte huye junoon se hoon.

Pattharon ko pighalne ka shauk na sikhao in tute huye dilon ko, Main wo seena rakhta hoon, jisse chot lagne par deewarein bhi ghabrati hain.

Siyahi mein mere khoon ki milaawat hai doston, tabhi ye lafz zinda hain, Varna in patharon ki mehfil mein, mitti ki shayari par taaliyan kaun bajata.

Meri aawaz mein jo ye kashish (pull) hai, use waqt ka thehrav (pause) kehte hain, Aur isi ek thehrav mein, maine poori sadiyon ka tufaan baandh kar rakha hai.

Tum mere sher sunkar yahan wajd (trance) mein jhoomte zaroor ho ghaafilo, Kasam khuda ki, is dard ki qeemat tum apni saans dekar bhi chuka nahi sakte.

Ye mehaz kagaz ke panne nahi, meri guzri hui jawani ka janaaza hain, Inhe halke mein na lena, yahan nikla hua mera har lafz, kisi ki maut ke barabar hai.

Aaj mere bolne se in deewaron par jo larzish (shivering) paida hui hai... Kal yahi khamoshi, is mehfil ki qabr pe taaj (crown) bankar baithegi!

Shatranj ki baazi si thi ye umr ki mohlat ae-doston, Maut ne aakhiri chaal chali, aur mera wazeer maat kha gaya.

Zinda rehne ka tax hum roz chukate hain apne aasuon se, Phir bhi ye zindagi hasti hai aur kehti hai, 'abhi hisaab baaki hai'.

Waqt nahi guzarta saahab, insaan pighal kar guzar jaate hain, Hum toh sirf ghadiyon ki suiyon ka ghoomna tamasha samajhte rahe.

Apni zinda laash ko kandha main khud hi de raha hoon kai saalon se, In bhari saanson ka bojh ab akele kisi se uthaya nahi jaata.

Kahaniyan toh sirf aam logon ki mukammal hoti hain yahan, Hum toh woh qatra hain jo qalam se gira, aur safhe (page) par hi sookh gaya.

Uski nigahon ne zehar bhi aab-e-hayaat (elixir) karke pilaya tha humein, Humne bhi hothon se lagaya aur maut ko muddaton tak mukar (deny) diya.

Meri aawargi ko sacchi ibaadat ka darja us ek din mil gaya, Jis din aaine mein mujhe mera nahi, uska aks (reflection) nazar aaya.

Usko bhoolne ki zidd mein, hum khud ko is qadar mita baithe hain, Ki ab toh yaad bhi nahi aata, ki pehli baar kahan se toote the.

Badan ki qaid se rooh udne hi wali thi aasmaan ki taraf, Usne ghabra kar pukaara, aur meri jannat wahin zameen par utar aayi.

Woh aag jo uske ishq ne lagai thi, sadiyon tak kabhi bujhi hi nahi, Pura wajood raakh ho gaya, aur is kambhakt duniya ne samjha hum zinda hain.

Sannate ka shor tumne kabhi kareeb se suna nahi hoga doston, Mere akelepan se poocho, kitne pahaad girte hain is seene mein raat bhar.

Aansuon ko bhi ab sharam aane lagi hai mere tapte hue gaalon pe, Kehte hain kis kis gham pe bahein, yahan toh roz ek nayi qayamat hai.

Parchhai ne bhi raat ke andhere mein mera saath hans kar chhod diya, Aur hum na-samajh, gair insaano se wafa ki ummeed lagaye baithe the.

Seene mein jo muddaton se qabristaan hai, uspe phool kaun chadhayega? Yahan toh roz ek ummeed marti hai, bina kisi rone wale janaaze ke.

হাস্য (Dark Irony). Muskurane ka fareb kuch is shiddat se seekh liya hai humne, Ki aaina rota hai meri halat dekh kar, aur hum apne aaine pe hanste hain.

Zameen ki aukaat kya jo mere badhte hue kadmon ko rok le, Maine aasmaan ko sajde mein jhukte dekha hai meri is zidd ke aage.

Chingariyon ko hawa dekar mujhe aag se darane wale, Unhe bata do ki chingari main khud hoon, aur ye hawa meri gulaam hai.

Patharon ne socha sheesha hoon, thokar lagegi toh tootkar bikhar jaunga, Jab takraaye toh maloom hua ki kutaar (dagger) ki aakhiri dhaar hoon main.

Tufano se keh do apni hadon mein raha karein warna mita diye jayenge, Main wo pyaasi kashti hoon, jo mauka mila toh poore samandar ko pi jaunga.

Hausle ki udaan ke liye in khokhale paron (wings) ki mohtaji nahi hoti, Yeh woh agg hai joh aasmaan ke seene mein bina chhuye ched kar deti hai.

Mere lafzon ko mehaz padhne ki koshish matt karna ae-zamaane walo, Inmein woh sadiyon purani chingariyan hain, jo padhne wale ki aankhon ko jalaa deti hain.

Khuda ne manga jab aakhiri saans pe poori umr ka hisaab mujhse, Maine chup-chaap apni in ghazalon ki ek kitaab uske samne rakh di.

Tum wah-wah karte ho mere andar ki cheezon ke tootne ki aawaz par, Kasam khuda ki, yeh faqat shayari nahi, ek aashiq ki aakhiri hichkiyan hain.

Qabr par meri roshni ab kisi mamooli chirag ki mohtaj nahi hogi, Mere jalte huye khwaabon ki aanch, is mitti ko sadiyon tak garm rakhegi.

Suna hai kal is shehar ki bheed mein mera aakhiri qissa sunaya jayega... Main rahoon na rahoon doston, mere is thehrao ki goonj aasmaan phaad degi!

Uss bazaar mein wafaa dhoondhne nikle the hum bachpan mein, Jahan aakhiri saansein bhi log kiraaye par mila karti hain.

Qabaron pe rone ki riwayat ab bohot puraani ho gayi, Ab toh samajhdaar log, zinda insaanon mein murda dhoondhte hain.

Khuda ne socha tha ki mujhe in dardon ke pahaad se tod dega, Use kya khabar thi, mujhe dard mein hi muskurane ki aadat pad gayi.

Kafan ka kapda chunte waqt darzi ne ek pal ko meri aankhon mein dekha, Aur dheere se bola, 'Saahab, is jism se pehle aapki rooh mar chuki hai.'

Zindagi ek hi usool pe bebaak chalti aayi hai meri, Jahan sab ki bheed judi, maine bina soche rasta badal liya.

Uski paayal ki aawaz se jab azan ki aayat ek pal ko ruk gayi, Khuda bhi jannat se muskuraya aur bola, 'Aaj ishq mukammal ho gaya.'

Teri saanson ki narmi ne mujhe jis qadar hosh udaye hain, Dozakh (hell) ki aag mein bhi ab mujhe woh tapish kahan milti hai.

Maine ibaadat ke naam par bas uska naam pukaara tha, Kafir kahan hua zamaane walo? Main toh aur paakizah (pure) ho gaya.

Uski aankhon ke samandar mein joh dooba, woh dubta hi chala gaya, Hum kinare pe the, magar tishnagi (thirst) se hi mar gaye.

Ek tere kareeb aane se deewaron ke aaine bhi sharmate hain, Tu door jata hai, toh mera saaya bhi khudkushi (suicide) ka sochta hai.

Kamre ki deewaron ne mujhse kal raat rote hue shikayat ki, 'Itna sannata na rakho shayar, warna humari saans ghut jayegi.'

Tanhai ne kal aakar jis qadar kas ke mera maatha chooma, Mujhe pal bhar ko aisa laga, jaise maut riyaz (practice) kar rahi ho.

Ek aansu girane ki ijaazat tak nahi deta yeh zalim zamana, Aur ek khaulata (boiling) samandar hai jo in aankhon ke peeche ubal raha hai.

Ab toh dardon ki mehfil mein aksar main hi mezbaan (host) hota hoon, Aate hain gham mere paas, do pal ki muskurahat udhaar lene.

Jism toh thak kar so jata hai raat ke pichle pehar mein, Aur rooh khadi reh kar, khidki se apna barbaad maazi (past) dekhti hai.

Meri kashtiyon ko aag lagakar saahil pe thahaake laga rahe the woh, Unhe nahi maloom, main tair kar poora shehar tabah kar dunga.

Aandhiyon ka guroor maine us rat poori tarah tod diya thaa, Jab apni hatheliyon par hazaaron chirag rakh kar main bekhauf soya tha.

Mujhe zameen mein dabane ke liye poora jahan ikhatta hua tha, Aur main ek akela beej, patthar phaad kar darakht (tree) ban gaya!

Meri haar ka jashn main is bheed mein itni dhoom se manata hoon, Ki theek saamne jeetne wale ka wajood khud-ba-khud chota ho jata hai.

Lakeeron ko mitane ki dhamkiyan ab dena chhod do ae taqdeer, Main woh hathoda hoon, jo naseeb nange pattharon par kured kar likhega!

Mere har lafz ko padhte waqt agar ragon mein garmi na aaye, Toh samajh lena meri shayari nahi, tumhara zameer (conscience) mar chuka hai.

Tum seetiyaan aur taaliyan baja rahe ho mere toote hue dil ke shor par, Zara ruko deewano, abhi meri rooh ka cheekhna baaki hai.

Qalam ko rokne ka farmaan aaj kal ke zaleel hukmaranon (rulers) ka aaya hai, Unhe bata do, qalam chinne se kya hoga? Shayar apni zubaan thodi katwata hai!

Sadiyon baad jab is zameen ke neeche meri qabr ko khoda jayega, Garanty deta hoon, wahan se mitti nahi... garm raakh aur chingariyan milengi!

Aaj mere bolne par yahan jo har dhadkan ruk-si gayi hai mehfil mein... Main bas wahan se shuru hota hoon, jahan saari duniya khatam hoti hai!

Khuda ki hidaayat thi ki mitti se bane ho, mitti mein miloge, Par zindagi ne bich bazaar mein humein pathar bana kar chhod diya.

Kirdaar itne nibhaaye is choti si zindagi ke rang-manch par, Aaina saamne aaya, toh mujhe khud apni pehchaan ke liye sochna pada.

Waqt ne sikhayi aisi jaadugari in haathon ko doston, Ret ko mutthi mein rokna chaha, toh apni hi kismat phisal gayi.

Log maut se darte hain jaise aakhiri anjaam ho koi, Humne toh yahan saanson ke chalte hue logon mein qabristaan dekhe hain.

Gunaahon ka hisaab mangne wale zameen par baithe khuda ban gaye, Asmaan wala chup raha, aur duniya mazhabon ke naam par jalti rahi.

Uski ek adhoori muskurahat ne mere poore wajood ko ghulaam kar liya, Sikander tha main is shehar ka, kisi ki zulfon mein aakar haar gaya.

Ishq ki sharaab mein wazu (ablution) karke jab sajdah kiya maine, Farishton ne aakar kaha, saahab, aaj farsh ki ibadaat arsh tak pohoch gayi.

Teri yaadon ke charagh hawaaon ki zidd mein bujhe hi nahi, Humne dil ko itna jalaya, ki poore shehar mein roshni ho gayi.

Woh nigahein fer kar guzre, toh humari umr wahin pe thehar gayi, Uske baad ke barson ne faqat meri zinda laash ki ginti badhai hai.

Log dhondhte hain khuda ko masjido aur mandiron ki deewaron mein, Humne tere sajde mein gir kar aasmaan ko zameen par aate dekha hai.

Kamre mein sannata itna hai ki ab toh aahaton se dar lagta hai, Khwab bhi agar dastak dein, toh thehar kar poochta hoon 'kaun hai?'

Bhari mehfil mein tanhai ka zehar peene ka maza hi aur hai, Main hansta hoon sabke saath, aur andar hi andar qatlam ho jata hoon.

Dard ki baarishon ne mere aangan mein is qadar dera daala, Ki ragon ka khoon bhi ab sookh kar kisi sehra (desert) sa lagta hai.

Mere akelepan pe is dhang se thahake (laughs) laga raha tha aasmaan, Maine chaand ko noch kar apni qabr ki rhaat ko roshan kar liya.

Woh gham jo aansu bankar aankhon ke kinare tak aa na sake, Unhone dheere dheere mere seene mein ek naya dozakh (hell) bana diya.

Tufaan ko aukaat dikhani thi, so kashti ko beech bhंवर mein chhod diya, Wo maut se darta hoga jisko sirf saahil ki aadat ho!

Aag ka darr use dikhana jiske ragon mein paani behta ho, Main woh aatish (fire) hoon, jisse lipat kar khud sholay bhi jal jate hain.

Waqt ki thokaron ne mujhe tarash kar wo heera bana diya hai, Ab main girta nahi, bas jahan takrata hoon, dararein chhod deta hoon.

Zamane ki chaalon pe nazar rakhne ki mohlat kisse hai? Hum woh baaz (hawk) hain, jo hawaaon ko cheer kar apni marzi se udte hain.

Jin deewaron ko unhone mere raaste ka pathar samajh rakha tha, Maine unhi ko tod kar, apne naseeb ka naya aasmaan bana liya.

In lafzon ke dhaage mein main apni guzri sadiyon ko baandhta hoon, Yeh sher nahi, waqt ki nabz hai... isse zara dhyan se pakadna!

Mujhe bujhe hue charagh samajh kar andhere ka raaj na samjho, Mere andar jo chingari so rahi hai, uske khauf se ye mehfil kaanp rahi hai.

Logon ko lagta hai faqat dard ko bech kar wah-wah batorta hoon, Unhe kya pata, unke taaliyon ke shor mein mera aakhiri qatra khoon nikalta hai.

Shayari meri kismat thi ya main shayari ki kismat tha, nahi maloom... Par meri aawaz jis din ruki, us din tumhara wajood be-naam ho jayega.

Aur yeh mehfil ke thehrao ko sirf meri khamoshi ka naam mat dena, Kasam khuda ki, jis din khul kar bola... toh ye zameen asmaan ko khaa jayegi!

Maut ne aakar mujhe chhua aur sharminda si ho gayi, Boli, 'tujhe toh pehle hi in apnon ne sau dafa maar rakha hai.'

Zindagi ke khate mein sirf ek chota sa udhaar baaki tha, Kambakht ne meri aakhiri khushi bech kar wo bhi chuka liya.

Bheed mein saath chalne ka dikhawa main bhi shaan se karta hoon, Par rooh jaanti hai, kabron ke shehar mein sab akele hi sote hain.

Aaine ki dehleez par khade hokar main khud se roz mukarta hoon, Ye jism toh mera hi hai saahab, par andar koi anjaan kaafir raaj karta hai.

Mittti ko goondh kar jisne humein itna guroor bakhsha tha, Wo aasmaan se chup-chaap humare tootne ka tamasha dekhta raha.

Uski saanson ki mehak ne is qadar mere wajood ko ghair rakha hai, Ki ab phool bhi choomta hoon, toh uski tasveer nazar aati hai.

Ibaadat-khaane ki deewaron par main bas ek tasawwur (imagination) laya tha, Khuda ne muskura kar kaha, 'ja ishq kar, teri maghfirat (salvation) wahin hogi.'

Tishnagi (thirst) is qadar badhi thi mere hothon pe uske lams (touch) ki, Samandar samne tha, aur main katre katre ke liye ghutnon pe aagaya.

Dil ke ujde hue aangan mein ab raakh kured kar kya dhoondhte ho? Jo parinda is aag mein jala, usne apne aasmaan pe pehle hi aag laga di thi.

Wo paas tha toh dhadkano ka shor tha meri ragon mein zamaane walo, Door hua toh aisa laga, jaisey poori sadiyan ek pal mein barf ho gayin.

Parchhai ne bhi mere akelepan se dar kar aaj rasta badal liya, Kehti hai, 'insaan theek tha, magar tera dard ab saha nahi jaata.'

Sannate se baat karne ki aadat is qadar nashe mein tabdeel ho gayi, Ab aawazein aati hain, toh dimaag mein jaise nasoor chid jata hai.

Meri aahon (sighs) ki keemat is bazaar-e-dard mein itni kam nikli, Maine qatra qatra khoon diya, aur logo ne sirf 'wah-wah' thama di.

Mere hi qatal ka ilzaam theek mere hi sar par laga diya zamaane ne, Main andar se khud mar gaya tha, isliye khanjar dhoondhna lazmi nahi tha.

Deewaron ne kal raat mere bistar ke kareeb aakar kaano mein pucha, 'Aaj raat teri neend maregi, ya humari tarah bas zinda gaade jaoge?'

Tufaanon ko shauk tha mere aashiyane (home) ko tinke mein udane ka, Wo hawa thi, udti rahi, main jadd (root) tha, aur gehrayi mein utar gaya.

Aasmaan girane nikle the mere kadmon mein ye maamooli zamane wale, Mera kad itna bada nikla ki wo taare ginne pe majboor ho gaye!

Thokar lagi toh tum mujhe mamooli kach ka tukda samajh baithe the, Jis din ankh mein chubhunga, teri nazar ke saath tera guroor bhi le jaunga.

Hawaaon ko bada weham tha ki woh meri chingari ko raakh kar dengi, Unhe kya pata tha, ye agg pighalti nahi, pighlati hai!

Meri aawaz ke aage talwarein bhi aakar apni dhaar kho baithi hain, Maine sach ki aag mein apne gale ko sadiyon tak jalaya hai!

Sadiyon ki kahani ko maine in do misron (lines) mein kaid rakha hai, Ye shayari nahi meri jaan, meri zindagi ka bikhra hua kafan hai.

Mere lafzon ke aage aakar aaj maut bhi apna raasta bhool baithi hai, Use kya pata tha, is shayar ne apni maut ko hi kalam bana rakha hai.

Tum samajhte ho main dard bech kar is mehfil se daulat kamata hoon? Are ghafilo, main apna khoon thookta hoon, tab jake ye panna chamakta hai!

Ye mehfil toh chand pal ka ek haseen dikhawa hai mere doston, Asli jalzala (earthquake) toh meri khamoshi mein chhupa baitha hai.

Aaj mere is thehrao ko apni taaloyon ke shor mein daba zaroor lena... Kyunki jab kal mera agla sher aayega, toh tumhari saansein bagawat kar dengi!

Waqt ki baarishon ne mitti ke khilaunon ka guroor aakhir tod hi diya, Aur hum ahmak (fools), zindagi ko sadiyon ki jaageer samajh kar baithe the.

Jalte hue makaan se main sirf apne bachpan ki ek tasveer bacha laya, Kam se kam meri zinda laash pe dekh kar koi muskurane wala toh hai.

Faraib (deceit) ke is bazaar mein sacchai ka sauda karne nikle the hum, Shaam tak apna hi zameer girwi rakh kar, aaine se mu-kar gaye.

Umr bhar saanson ka boj dho kar humne ek aali-shaan qabr banai hai, Maut aayi toh has kar boli, 'Sikandar, yahan toh bistar mitti ka hi milta hai.'

Raaston ki dhool ne mujhe meri aukaat ka wo aaina dikhaya hai doston, Ki ab aasmaan bhi jhuk kar mile, toh main kadam zameen par hi rakhta hoon.

Uski nigahon ka thehrao is qadar azaab (torment) ban gaya meri ragon mein, Ki ab kisi aur ki taraf dekhun, toh aakhein khud-ba-khud jalne lagti hain.

Wo jism ki numaaish karne wale ishq ka daawa kya samjhenge, Humne toh band aakhon se bhi, uski rooh ka tawaaf (circumambulation) kiya hai.

Duaon mein uthte hue haathon ko kal raat maine khud hi rok liya, Darr tha ki khuda meri fariyad sun kar, uski baahon mein jannat na bana de.

Uski zulfon ke saaye mein guzaari hui ek raat ka karz hai mujh par, Maine poori zindagi ki dhoop khareed li, us ek ehsaan ko chukane ke liye.

Ishq ki shamma mein jalna meri kismat thi ya mera junoon, maloom nahi, Par raakh hone ke baad bhi, is hawaa mein meri hi mehak baaki hai.

Sannaton ka shor meri khidkiyon pe roz aakar apna sar patakta hai, Wo kehte hain is kamre mein koi toh hai, jo rone ki ijaazat nahi deta.

Aansuon ne bagaawat kar di hai meri in khoon-alood (bloodshot) aankhon se, Kehte hain kitna giroge ek shakhs ke liye, humari bhi koi aukaat hoti hai.

Parchhaiyon ki mehfil mein roz raat ko ek jalsa (gathering) lagata hoon, Main shama bujha deta hoon, aur mere saare gham aakar lipat jaate hain.

Dard ki tijaarat (business) mein humne aisi kaamyabi haasil ki hai ae-zamane, Log humari cheekhein khareed-te hain, apne ghar ka sannata todne ke liye.

Dil ke aangan mein khudi ki qabr khodte-khodte haath chhil gaye mere, Andar se pukaar aayi, 'rehne de shayar, murdon ko dobara nahi gaada jaata.'

Kashtiyon ko kinare pe baandh kar tufaan se sulaah karne walo, Mera fatiha matt padhna, maine samandar se bagaawat ka wazu kiya hai!

Par-kate parindon ko aasmaan ki uchayi ka darr dikhata hai ye zamana, Meri ragon ki aag dekh, aasmaan khud zameen pe chadar bichhane aata hai.

Pattharon ne sheesha samajh kar mujh par be-tehasha waar kiye the, Jab main toota... toh har ek tukda aine ki tarah meri hi fauj ban gaya!

Zameen mein gaad doge toh seediyon ki tarah bahar nikal aaunga, Main wo beej nahi jo sarr jaye, main wo jadd hoon jo shehar pahaad de!

Meri muskurahat pe shak karne wale apni shishe ki talwaarein wapas le jayein, Maine koyle (coal) chabakar hothon se chingariyan thookna seekha hai!

Mere alfazon ko sirf syahi na samajhna meri is bhari mehfil mein, Maine apni chhatti ki pasliyan tod kar ye qalam banaya hai.

Wah-wah ki bheed mein agar tum meri siskariyan (sobs) nahi sun sakte, Toh laanat hai aisi mehfil par, aur khud is bujurg shayar ki shayari par!

Main apne lahu se varaq (pages) par jo qayamat likh raha hoon, Ek sadi guzar jayegi, tum in dardon ka tarjuma (translation) nahi kar paoge.

Mere thehrao (pause) ko yahan jo log maut ka sannata samajh baithe hain, Unhe is zinda laash ki taraf se mera aakhiri aadaab keh dena.

Aaj main apni zubaan ko khamosh kar raha hoon is mehfil mein doston... Lekin kal jab ye lafz bolenge, toh is jahan mein kisi ki aawaz nahi bachegi!

Waqt ki uljhi hui dor ko suljhane chala tha main ae-doston, Zindagi ka saara dhaaga hi is tamashe mein ulajh kar reh gaya.

Saanson ki bhari zanjeer pehnkar ghoome the hum umr bhar, Maut aayi toh mudkar usne chhooma, aur laga jaise rihaai mil gayi.

Log aksar poochte hain mujhse meri aakhiri khwahish is bheed mein, Maine bhi hans kar keh diya, 'khuda dobara insaan banne ki saza na de.'

Khuda ki adaalat mein apne hi khilaaf aakhiri gawaah tha main, Farishte bhi ro pade mere gunaahon ki wafaadaari dekh kar.

Aasmaan choomne ki chah mein apne hi ghar ki zameen chhod di humne, Ab aalam yeh hai, na wahan panah baaki hai, na yahan mera guroor raha.

Uski aankhon ki jheel mein utre the hum faqat wazu karne, Aise be-hosh doobe wahan, ki meri namaz-e-ishq hi kaza ho gayi.

Teri ek halke se muskurahat pe maine apni poori sadiyan vaar di, Zamana hairan hai, is sarakte hue faqeer ke paas itni daulat aayi kahan se.

Jism se rooh tak ka lamba safar, usne tai kiya bas ek lams (touch) mein, Main dar-ba-dar ka sadiyon purana patthar tha, achanak dhadakne laga.

Sajde mein sir jhukaya khuda ke aage, toh aaine sa kuch nazar aaya, Khuda gawah hai... mujhe kaabe mein bhi sirf wahi shakhs dikhai diya.

Is ishq ke aakhiri saude mein kaisa azeem khasaara (loss) hua doston, Seene se dil bhi nikal gaya, aur dhadkan bhi hamesha ke liye uski ho gayi.

Tanhai ki garm chadar ko is qadar kas ke odh liya hai maine ab, Ki suraj ki dhoop bhi jism pe padti hai, toh rooh thithur (shiver) jati hai.

Apna qatra qatra lahu nichod kar is anjaan mehfil mein baant diya maine, Aur ye nasamajh duniya boli, 'kya baat hai, shayar ka rang bada sunehra hai.'

Raat ke aakhiri sannate mein sirf meri parchhai thi mere sath baithi, Maine rote hue usse bhi haath jodh kar kaha, 'ja tu bhi azaad hai.'

In thehri hui palkon pe aasuon ka kacha bojh mat dekh ae-zamaane, Inke theek peeche, mere toote hue khwaabon ka poora qabristaan jal raha hai.

Meri barson ki khamoshi ne itna gahra shor machaya kal raat, Ki neend ne aakar mere sirhaane par chup-chaap khudkushi kar li.

Ye aam tufaan mere fauladi hausalon ko bujhane aaye the is shehar mein, Maine unhi ki aakhiri hawaon se, apni mehfil ka aangan roshan kar liya.

Mere par kaat kar aasmaan pe fakar (pride) karne wali hawawon suno, Main udaan nahi, ragon ka ubalta khoon hoon, kahan tak zameen par rokoge?

Pattharon ki is thehri hui bheed mein main koi mom ka khilauna nahi, Tu zidd mein jalaa kar toh dekh mujhe, main roshni tere hi ghar mein karunga!

Mujhe thokar maar kar kahan aur kitni gehrayi tak giraoge ae dushmano, Main aasmaan se toota hua woh ziddi taara hoon, jo raakh hokar bhi jalta hai!

Shikast (defeat) ko ab khud mere aage ghutne tekne ki aadat pad chuki hai, Meri anaa (ego) ki bas ek hi zidd hai... main zinda rehkar mitti mein milta nahi!

Ye bilkul mat samajhna main mitti ke shabdon ki koi sasti jadugari karta hoon, Main apne guzre hue maazi (past) ki haddiyan tod kar, lafz banata hoon.

Meri aakhiri diary ke panne safed nahi, mere sookhe hue khoon se lal hain, Tum inhe aaraam se padhte ho, main inhe roz ba-roz maut ban kar jeeta hoon.

Tum hamesha daad (praise) dete ho mere seene ke is tarah chhalni hone par, Kabhi ek pal ko mere kareeb aao, ye chhed tumhe tumhara hi aaina dikhayenge.

Jis roz meri likhi hui is dard ki aakhiri kitaab ka varaq (page) paltega doston, Is shehar ki saari taaliyon ki aawaz, ek lambi cheekh mein tabdeel ho jayegi!

Kal inhi panno pe bas meri khaak bikhri hui milegi is mehfil mein... Meri aaj ki is khamoshi ko thehrao mat samajhna, ye kal aane wala tufaan hai!

Zindagi ki raftaar pe itna guroor na kar ae naadaan musafir, Qabr ki thandi mitti jab girti hai, toh saare thehrao yaad aa jate hain.

Waqt ki dhoop ne mere wajood ka saara gham is tarah sokh liya, Main ab aansu nahi, apni zinda laash ka faqat ek dhuaan bacha hoon.

Sab ko mukammal jahan ki talaash thi is khokhli si duniya mein, Humne aaina tod diya, aur apne hi tukdon mein poori qainaat pa li.

Ek pal mein sadiyon ki muskurahat udhaar mangi thi zindagi ne mujhse, Jab waqt chukane ka aaya, toh is zalim ne meri saansein hi girwi rakh li.

Maut ka khauf unhe dikhao jinhe zindagi se koi thodi si mohlat mili ho, Hum toh paida hote hi is kafan ko apna aakhiri libaas samajh baithe the.

Uski palkon ki chhanv mein jab main sachhi ibadat ko thehra, Khuda ne aasmaan se utarkar, kaabe se mera rukh mod diya.

Mere hathon ki lakeeron mein uska naam dhondhne wale firaaq doston, Maine apne jigar ka khoon jalakar, use apni ragon mein utaar rakha hai.

Nigahon ka takrana bhi ek ajeeb sa haadsa tha us bewafa shaam ka, Maut saamne khadi thi, aur umr bhar ke liye is pathar mein ishq paida ho gaya.

Usne haath chhoda toh ungliyon ki poron se lahu tapakne laga mera, Woh sirf mera haath nahi, mere aane wale poore maazi (future) ki nabz pakde hue tha.

Log sharaab ko is badnaam ishq ki aakhiri dawa samajhte hain duniya mein, Hum toh sirf uske hothon ka naam lekar, shehar ka poora maykhana hara aaye.

Tanhai jab aakar meri sookhi aankhon se zor se lipat jati hai raat mein, Toh kamre ka andhera bhi ghabrakar apne liye ek kone ki panah mangta hai.

Dard is qadar bikhra pada hai mere is toote hue, ujde aangan mein, Ki ab aansu bhi nikalte hain, toh zameen par girne ki jagah dhoondhte hain.

Mere hothon pe thehri hui is muskurahat ka wazan kabhi naap kar dekhna, Iske theek neeche dab kar, ek haste-khelte insaan ka poora wajood mar gaya hai.

Seene mein chalne wali in bhari saanson ka shor bohot kaat-ta hai ab, Jaise har saans uske door jaane ke baad, khudkushi karne ki ijaazat maang rahi ho.

Mujhe akelepan se darane wale, in khokhli deewaron waalo suno, Maine sadiyon ki qabristaan ki khamoshi ko, apni chhati mein sula rakha hai.

Gira zaroor tha ek pal ko andhiyon ke is nange aur be-rahm zor se, Par utha toh pachaas bawandar (hurricanes) meri palkon pe haath baandhe khade the!

Meri kismat ki lakeeron par apna poora haq jamane wale ae khuda, Tu ne siyahi girti dekhi thi, maine apna paseena aur lahu baha kar panna hi badal diya!

Mujhe zameen par rondhne wale un magroor (arrogant) qadmo se jaake keh do, Main wo dhool hoon jo udd kar ab tere khandaan ki nazarein andhi kar dunga!

Raakh samajh kar mere thehrao ko in hawaon mein udane ki koshish na kar, Mere andar ki bachi hui ek chingari, tere ghamandi aasmaan ko raakh kar degi!

Har gehri chot par muskurana kisi paagalpan ki nishani nahi hai meri jaan, Ye wo fitoor hai jo lohe ke pattharon ki bhi thand mein neend uda deta hai!

Mere alfaazon ki taap (heat) ko abhi tumne mehsoos kahan kiya hai zamaane walo, Ye wo aatish-fashan (volcano) hai, jo saath saalon se mere khoon mein ubal raha hai.

Tum aate ho is mehfil mein apni thaki hui shaam rangeen karne ke liye, Main yahan har ek sher ke sath, apne seene ka ek hissa qurban karta hoon.

Jin kaale dardon ko chupane ke liye log poori umr jhooth bolte hain shehar mein, Maine unhi dardon ko apni is syahi se be-parda karke aag laga di hai.

Kalam aur kaagaz ke is riwayati (traditional) rishte mein sirf mera khoon bacha hai ab, Ek din main rahunga nahi doston, magar farishte inhi sheron ka zikr aasmaan mein karenge.

Abhi meri iss dard-bhari awaaz ko apni inn khokhli taaliyon se daba lo doston... Kyunki jis din meri khamoshi ne cheekhna shuru kiya, toh khuda bhi apni saans rok lega!

Maut bhi hairan khadi thi mere is murda jism ki halat dekh kar, Boli 'bacha hi kya hai, jise main ab mitti ke hawale karun?'

Khwaab bech kar humne jawani mein do waqt ki roti toh khareed li thi, Aaj jab bhookh mit gayi, toh in nigaahon mein sirf ghana andhera bacha hai.

Umar guzaari thi jin khokhale raaston ko apna banane ki zidd mein, Jab aakhiri mod aaya, toh pata chala manzil ka toh koi wajood hi nahi tha.

Sanson ka karz chukate-chukate hatheliyon ki lakeerein chhil gayi meri, Aur ye kambhakt zindagi muskurakar boli, 'saahab, naya hisaab abhi shuru hua hai.'

Mitti ki in imaaraton par bada garoor tha hum nadan parindon ko, Ek tez hawa ka jhonka aaya, aur shehar ka shehar qabristaan ban gaya.

Teri bewafayi ka aakhiri qissa main ro-ro kar khuda ko sunane gaya tha, Wo khuda bhi ro pada, meri namaz-e-ishq mein tera tasawwur (image) dekh kar.

Sajde mein sar rakha aur zubaan pe sirf tera hi be-baak naam nikal aaya, Farishton ne likhna chaha gunaah, par mera wazu hi in garm aansuon ka tha.

Uski mudti hui ek jhalak ne mujhe sadiyon ka la-ilaaj beemar kar diya, Shifa (cure) mangne nikla, toh masjid ki azaan mein bhi bas uski aawaz sunayi di.

Mere jism pe lakho zakhm diye the is be-reham aur zaalim zamaane ne, Par meri rooh us din tadap ke mar gayi, jab usne mujhe ajnabiyon ki tarah dekha.

Ishq ke darbaar mein main bas apna khaali kashkol (begging bowl) le kar gaya tha, Usne usme apni chand yaadein daal kar, mujhe umar-bhar ka faqeer bana diya.

Kamre ki khamoshi se ab main thehar-thehar kar lambaai mein baatein karta hoon, Log kehte hain main pagal ho gaya, par dar-asal main apna hi azaab (torment) sunta hoon.

Aansuon ki bheed ab is darr se aankhon ki dehleez par bahar nahi aati, Unhe bhi maloom hai, is bazaar-e-dard mein mard ki aukaat sasti ho jati hai.

Andheron se is qadar pakki aur gehri yaari ho gayi hai meri rooh ki, Ki ab ghalti se chiragh jal jaye, toh parchayi khud-ba-khud cheekh padti hai.

Sannate ko cheer kar kal raat andhere mein main achanak thahaake (laughs) laga baitha, Meri udasi ne bhi kaanp kar darr se kaha, 'lagta hai is mard ka maut ka ishara aa gaya.'

Khamoshi ka wazan agar naapna ho toh in thehri hui palkon se poochho, Jin ke theek peeche, roz ek sadi purana toota hua aasmaan girta hai.

Muqaddar ke aage sar jhukane ki buzdil aadat kisi aur mein dhoondhna zamaane, Main wo baaghi hoon, jo apni hatheliyon ki lakeerein talwaar ki dhaar se khichta hai!

Tufaano ne samjha tha ki narm mitti ka koi kacha aur kamzor gharonda hoon main, Jab andar ka jwala-mukhi (volcano) fata, toh un pahaadon ko bhi thehar jana pada!

Zamane ki andhi nigaah mein shayad mere par (wings) kab ke kat chuke hain, Inhe cheekh ke bata do, baaz udtay nahi, sidha hawaon ka rukh modne aate hain!

Meri gardan jhukane ka khwaab dekhne walon zameen pe theek se khade ho jao, Main jis din zidd mein gira, apni jadd (roots) se poora nagar ukhaad kar marunga!

Raakh samajh ke mujhe in thehri hui be-dard hawaon mein bikherne ki bhool na karna, Main wo ziddi chingari hoon, jo poore samandar ko ubalne par majboor kar de!

In kaagazon pe main sirf laal syahi (ink) nahi girata ae meri jaan-e-mehfil, Main apni har ghazal mein apni ek aakhiri saans ki qeemat ada karta hoon.

Tumhe waaqi lagta hai ye mahaz alfaaz hain jo tumhare seene mein ab utar rahe hain? Kasam khuda ki, ye meri chhil-chuki, bikhri hui rooh hai jo tumhari nabz se lipat rahi hai.

Daad (praise) dene ki is rasm mein thoda halke aur dheere taali bajana mere doston, In shayari ke panno ke beech mere thehre hue gham, abhi-abhi gahri neend soye hain.

Mere is duniya se rukhsat hone ke baad jab meri ghazalon ko chhu kar dekhoge zamaane, Har ek shabd ki tapish, ek zinda dhadkan bankar tumhari ungliyon ko sadiyon tak jalaa degi.

Aaj tum meri is thehri aawaz pe apna poora maazi (past) bhula rahe ho is raat mein... Lekin jab mera aakhiri sher utrega, toh in deewaron ke aaine bhi khoon rone lagenge!

Naa jaane kis gunaah ki itni lambi saza kaat rahe hain hum zameen par, Ki har saans tootne se pehle jeene ka naya, khoon-alood (bloody) nuskha de jaati hai.

Zindagi ne saansein udhaar dekar zamaane par bada guroor sikhaya tha humein, Maut ne aakar ek chote se jhatke mein, hamara saara hisaab zameen pe bikaher diya.

Jawani ke guroor mein jis mitti ko hum pairon tale berahami se rondte the, Aaj jab thak gaye hain, toh yahi mitti seene se lagane ka intezaar kar rahi hai.

Main roz apni khaahishon ko zinda dafan karke ek naya mukhaota pehanta hoon, Is magroor (arrogant) shehar ko zinda log nahi, bas muskurate huye qatil chahiye.

Raaston pe bhatakne ka ilzaam ab mere in thehre hue kadmon pe na lagana, Manzilon ne hi pichle pehar mujhse be-wafai karke apna raasta badal liya tha.

Teri nigaahon ne jab pehli baar mere gunahon ko ishq mein paak kiya tha, Maine usi pal jannat ka sauda tere ek halke se lams (touch) ke liye kar liya.

Uski zulfon ki chhaanv mein sadiyan guzaarne ki aadat is qadar ho gayi thi, Jab neend tuti aur aankh khuli, toh dekha poori qaynaat dhoop mein jal rahi thi.

Tujhe paane ki zidd mein khud ko is hadd tak mita chuka hoon ae-mehboob, Ab aaina bhi kaanp kar kehta hai, 'saahab, yahan kisi aur ka wajood dharam (breathing) le raha hai.'

Tere jaane ke baad in hothon ne akele mein aah bharna bhi chhod diya hai, Kahin meri saanson ke thehre hue shor se, ragon mein bacha tera naam na hil jaye.

Log kehte hain ishq mein insaan mitti ban jata hai hawaon mein udne ke liye, Maine toh teri judaaai mein patthar bankar pahaadon ki chhati ko rula diya.

Kamre mein chalte chalte ab parchhai bhi thak kar bistar pe so jati hai, Bas ek main hoon, aur meri in khuli aankhon mein jalti hui thehri tanhai hai.

Andar ka bikhra hua jalzala (earthquake) is qadar dafna liya hai seene mein, Ki ab koi zakhm kurede, toh ragon se khoon nahi, sirf barson purani raakh udti hai.

Sannata is qadar cheekhta hai mere kaanon mein raat ke aakhiri pehar doston, Ki aas-paas ki dafan hui qabrein bhi meri khamoshi se khauf khaane lagti hain.

Dard ko itni shiddat se apni bhari saanson mein utaar liya hai maine ab, Kaanta chubhta hai toh hoth muskurate hain, aur kambhakt dard sharminda ho jata hai.

Log bheed mein dhoondhte hain qatl hone ke rangeen nishaan is shehar mein, Unhe kya pata is ghane akelepan ne mujhe kitni berahami se zinda chaba liya hai.

In magroor hawaon ko bata do ki mere thehrao ko bujhna samajhne ki bhool na karein, Main aag ki woh thehri hui nass hoon, jahan paani gire toh woh bhi jalne lagta hai!

Raakh se dobara uthne ka hunar in asmaani parindon ko aakhir main hi toh sikhata hoon, Main wo jwala-mukhi (volcano) hoon jisse takrakar tufaan bhi haath sekne aate hain!

Mujhe apni mamooli thokron se zameen par litaane ki koshish karne walo zara suno, Main jahan bhi girta hoon, meri raakh se naye aasmaan seedhe khade ho jate hain!

Taqdeer ki kachi siyahi se likhi hui us sasti maut ko dho kar mita diya maine, Aur apne jigar ke tapte hue khoon se, apne wajood ka aakhiri panna khud fatah kar liya!

Kaanch ke mehal mein baithkar mujhe pattharon se darane wale is khokhale zamane... Jis din main seena khol kar cheekhunga, teri buniyaad apne aap khudkushi kar legi!

Mere in thehre huye lafzon ki aanch ko abhi bohot halke mein le rahe ho doston, Is ghazal ke khatam hote hote, agar tumhari ragon ka lahu na uble toh mera naam mita dena.

Tum in sheron par apni chhati peet kar taaliyan bajate ho meri bewafaai ke kisse sunkar, Khuda kasam, main har ek misre (line) mein apni rooh ka ek tukda zinda qabar mein utarta hoon.

Zamana mujhe ek bimar aur thehra hua bujurg shayar samajhne ki ghalti roz karta hai, Unhe nahi maaloom, mere is kamzor aur jhar-jhar seene mein seedhi qayamat ne ghosla bana rakha hai.

Sadiyon baad jab meri in bikhri aur purani kitabon ki dhool jhaadi jayegi is mitti se, Toh dekhna ae zamane walo, us dafan hui khaak se bhi aag aur khoon ki laptein nikalengi.

Aaj tumhari is thehri hui mehfil ko main apne aansuon ka ek-ek kanta thama kar jaa raha hoon... Lekin yaad rakhna, jab ye kal tumhari saanson mein chhubenge, toh tumhari rooh se cheekh bahar aayegi!

Zindagi ki is andhi mandi mein har saans ka daam lagta dekha hai maine, Hum wahan khareedar ban kar gaye the, waqt ne thikaane par humein hi bech diya.

Safed kafan mein apne maazi (past) ke tajurbe lapet kar thehra hoon main, Ae zameen walo, ab is mitti se mera rishta kaat do, mujhe aasmaan aabad karne do.

Ret ki tarah phisal gaya sab kuch in bujurg aur jhurriyo bhari hatheliyon se, Mutthi baandh kar dekha aakhiri pehar, toh bas apnon ki di hui chubhan baaki thi.

Ek umr nikal gayi duniya ke in mitti ke khilaunon ko haath se jodne mein, Maut ne aakar kandhe pe haath rakha aur muskurakar boli, 'shayar, ye khel khatam hota hai.'

Khuda aur uske farishte dono bahaas kar rahe the meri rooh ke aakhiri wajood par, Maine thak kar kaha, dozakh ho ya jannat, jise sukoon dena ho wo bas aage aa jaye.

Teri zulfon ke saaye mein apni sadiyan sula kar bada fakhr kiya tha humne, Aaj tu nahi hai, toh mithi sooraj ki roshni bhi mere seene ko aari (saw) se cheer deti hai.

Tu meri thehri hui rooh mein is qadar paakizgi se utar gaya hai ae-mehboob, Main ab masjid mein sajde mein bhi girun, toh is zameen ko sirf tera asar lagta hai.

Uski thehri hui nigaahon ne bhari mehfil mein ek aahat bhi nahi hone di, Aur hum aashiq the ki uski aankhon ka sannata sun-sun kar qayamat tak thehar gaye.

Main khuda se sajde mein ja kar maangne chala tha mukkamal sukoon-e-dil apne liye, Khayalon mein uska pallo aaya, aur main muskurakar apne liye la-ilaaj qayamat maang laya.

Jalte huye ishq ke dozakh (hell) mein humne ek katre ka naseeb rakha tha, Usne zulf kya jhatki, hum samandar ki aukaat rakh kar bhi poori tarah jal gaye.

Kamre ki us ghani khamoshi ne kal raat mujhse achanak cheekh kar bol diya, 'Aye buzurg shayar, ab itna na ro ki humari thehri hui deewarein bhi toot jaayein.'

Akelepan ko bhi kal mere bikhre huye akelepan pe rona aa gaya doston, Bistar ki silwaton mein jab mujhe dhundha, toh wahan meri jagah sirf garm raakh mili.

Aansu itne gire ki meri ye numm aankhein poori tarah banjar khet ho gayin saahab, Ab gham ka kala badal aata bhi hai, toh barasne se pehle meri ijaazat maangta hai.

Tum meri in chalti-firti saanson ko dekh kar mujhe zinda samajhne ki ghalti mat karna, Main woh chaltee phirti kabr hoon, jiske andar meri hi laash barson se tadap-tadap kar ro rahi hai.

Ye kaala andhera hi mera sabse wafadaar sathi nikla is magroor shehar mein, Jab apnon ke jalaye hue chirag dhokha de gaye, toh isne aage badh kar mujhe gale se laga liya.

Aandhiyon se ja kar keh do ki meri thehri hui kashti ka aakhiri sira naap lein pehle, Main woh thukraya hua samandar hoon, jo bawandar (hurricane) nigal kar bhi chup rehta hai!

Kanch ke mehal mein chup kar patthar phenkne walon ko mera junoon kya maloom hoga, Main wo kacha pahaad hoon, jisse takra kar umr bhar ka waqt bhi apna rasta badal leta hai!

Meri andar ki chingariyon ko apni nangi hatheliyon se dabaane ka khwaab rakhne walo, Jab meri zidd is hawa se milti hai, toh chingari poora asmaan raakh karne ka honsla rakhti hai!

Meri is jhuki hui kamar par umr aur maut ka andaza lagane wale is bheed, Mera ek ghusse bhara qadam uth jaye, toh tumhari ye zameen fauran do-faad (split in two) ho jayegi!

Kismat ki kachi siyahi ne mujhe maazi (past) se mitaane ki sadiyon koshish ki, Maine apni ragon ka khoon nikal kar, seedha khuda ke maathe pe naya naseeb chhaap diya!

In bhari-bharkam lafzon ki baarish mein aaj zara thehar kar bheeg lene do is mehfil ko, Kon jane, kal is aawaz ka shor karne wala samandar hamesha ke liye sookh jaye.

Tum meri ye be-wafa shayari sun kar roz yahan mohabbat ke naye shauq paalte ho, Main inhi laal panno par likhte huye, apni ek nai rag (vein) roz berahami se kaat deta hoon.

Mere un bujhe huye thehre chiragon ko tum kisi murde ki aakhiri dastak na samajhna, Maine is bikhre hue thehrao ko, bas qayamat aane se pehle sula rakha hai.

Suna tha dard ka tarjuma (translation) baatne sealka aur sukoon bhara ho jata hai ae doston... Maine zubaab khol kar baatna shuru kiya, toh poore shehar ka meetha paani zehar ho gaya!

Aaj in thehri hui sasti baaton pe muskurakar jitni taaliyan bajani hain baja lo mehfil walo... Kyunki jis din main waqai toot kar bikhra... toh yeh khudgarz aasmaan apni chhati peet-peet kar royega!

Kafan pehnne ki riwayat toh sabhi jaante hain yahan is shehar mein, Par saansein chalte hue khud ko dafan karna, sirf ashiiqon ko aata hai.

Umr ki raftaar ko ghadiyon mein naapne wale na-samajh logo, Maine ek raat ki tanhai mein poori sadiyan guzarti dekhi hain.

Aaina pochh-pochh kar aakhir thak chuka hoon main apna, Daagh toh dar-asal rooh par the, aur main umr bhar chehra ragadta raha.

Qabristaan ke bahar likha tha zamaane ne 'sukoon ki jagah', Andar gaya toh murdon ko apne adhure khwaabon par cheekhte dekha.

Waqt ke is taraju mein hum insaan hamesha halke hi nikle ae doston, Kyunki hamare palle mein wafa thi, aur zamane ke palle mein saara fareb.

Uski uthti hui palkon ne is qadar qayamat dhai thi meri dhadkan pe, Ki khuda ne bhi jannat ke darwaze khol kar tasdeeq (verify) karni chahi.

Jism ki bhookh hoti toh kisi bazaari se ja kar ishq ladate, Humne toh uski rooh ko choom kar, khuda se uski lambi umr maangi thi.

Masjid ki aakhiri saf (row) mein khada zaroor tha main us bewafa din, Par sajda farsh ko nahi, tere khayal ki chaukhat ko kiya tha.

Usne jaate huye mud kar meri taraf ek aakhiri baar dekha tak nahi, Aur main us ek pal ko apni maut ki aayat (verse) samajh kar padhta raha.

Ishq ka dozakh (hell) is qadar thanda pad gaya hai mere seene mein, Ki ab teri yaad aati bhi hai, toh meri haddiyan tak barf hone lagti hain.

Kamre ke sannaton ne aaj mujhse raat ke aakhiri pehar saaf saaf keh diya, 'Shayar, tu yahan se chala ja, teri khamoshi ki cheekhein ab humse bardasht nahi hoti.'

Aansu the ki thak kar kab ke so gaye in bikhri hui palkon par, Ek main hoon ki khuli aankhon se, apne hi janaze ka sajha hua tamasha dekh raha hoon.

Parchhai ne bhi kal raat thak kar mujhse aakhiri sulaah kar li doston, Boli, 'Andhere mein main nahi aati, aur ujale ke tu ab kaabil nahi raha.'

Dard ki tijarat (business) aisi ki hai is zalim zindagi ke bazaar mein, Ki jahan muskurahat bikti thi, wahan main apna poora ujda aangan rakh aaya.

Khamoshi ko padhne ka shauk hai toh meri in sookhi aankhon ke peeche dekh, Jahan ek thehra hua pahaad, har roz toot kar naye sire se bikharta hai.

In buzdil hawaon ko meri pukaar aur udaan ka kya andaza hoga, Maine tufaanon ke seene par pair rakh kar aasmaan ko sajde mein jhukaya hai!

Pattharon se dosti meri is qadar gahri ho chuki hai ab ae zamaane, Ki log kaanch fenkte hain, aur meri raah ke patthar unhe raste mein raakh kar dete hain!

Mujhe dabane ka darr tu zameen aur mitti ko dikha ae waqt, Main wo ziddi dhool hoon, jo andhi ko chhed kar uske paar udna janti hai!

Qismat ke thekedaaron ne meri nasseb ki lakeerein jalani chahi thi, Maine apni ragon ka khoon thook kar, saale poore aasmaan ki kismat hi dobara likh di!

Maut ka khauf unhe dikhana jinhe aaram se sona ho is thandi qabr mein, Hum wo bedaar (awake) musafir hain, jo kafan phaar kar bagaawat ka jhanda gaadenge!

Lafzon ki is sasti aur thehri hui bheed mein main apna khoon nahi bechta, Main jab thehar kar bolta hoon, toh in panno ki kismat apne aap badal jati hai.

Tum thehri hui sasti taaliyon se mera ye gussa dabaane ki koshish karte ho, Meri saans ka ek chota sa thehrao, is puri aabaad mehfil ko umr bhar ke liye gunga kar sakta hai.

Mere in kachche dardon par thahaake (laughs) lagana chhod do zamaane walo, Kabhi in raakh huye sheron ko choo kar dekhna, tumhari rooh ki hatheliyan jal jayengi.

Khuda se aakhiri mulakat pe main apni inhi ghazalon ko apne gawah ke taur par pesh karunga, Aur aankh mein aankh daal kar poochunga... bata, tere dozakh mein itni aag thi kya?

Aaj mere is aakhiri dard ko sirf ek bujurg shayar ki thaki hui zubaan mat samajhna... Kasam paida karne wale ki, jis din ye lafz such huye, ye thehri hui zameen aasmaan ko khaa jayegi!

Waqt ke darwaze par dastak dete-dete umr ki aakhiri hadd paar kar li, Jab darwaza khula, toh dekha andar sirf meri hi namm kabr tayyar thi.

Ye safed baal mahaz dhoop mein sukha kar nahi paaye hain zamaane, Inke har ek taar (strand) mein, meri barson ki jaltee hui raakh dafan hai.

Zindagi se hisaab maangne gaya toh wo khil-khila kar rone lagi, Boli, 'shayar, tu toh apni aakhiri saansein bhi udhaar ki kalam se leta hai.'

Fareb ki is bheed mein hum sacchai ka charagh lekar nikal toh pade, Hawa se bachaate rahe, aur apnon ki phookon ne aag bujha di.

Janazon ki bheed mein chalta hoon toh bas yahi soch kar muskurata hoon, Ki is khokhale shehar mein, maut hi insaan ki sabse sacchi mulaqaat hai.

Uski aahat par meri ragon ka lahu is tarah tawaaf (circumambulate) karta hai, Jaise kisi banjar, sadiyon se ujdi masjid mein achanak azaan hui ho.

Tere hothon ke chhue hue paani ko main zam-zam samajh kar pee gaya, Khuda gawah hai, tishnagi (thirst) aur badh gayi aur aakhiri saans thehar gayi.

Log aashiqon ko deewaron pe qisse likhte hue waah-waah karte hain, Humne toh apni khaal udhed kar, uske naam ki saari quran utaar li.

Uski judai ki raat kal is qadar lambi, sadik aur kaali hui, Ki sooraj ne bhi asmaan se kood kar, hamesha ke liye khudkushi kar li.

Ishq ek aisi namaz hai doston, jismein ghalti ki koi maafi nahi hoti, Sajda toota, toh samajh lena teri jannat wahin pe dozakh (hell) ban gayi.

Tanhai is qadar chhati pe chadh kar nachti hai raat ke andhere mein, Ki mere aasuon ka thehra hua shor ab baahar ke kutton ko bhi dara deta hai.

Deewaron ne kal sharminda hokar, apne kaan hamesha ke liye band kar liye, Meri rooh ke cheekhne ki aawaz ab in pattharon se bhi bardasht nahi hoti.

Dard ko palkon pe sajane ka nuskha ab bohot purana ho gaya ae-doston, Main apne seene ke andar roz ek naya, zinda qabristaan roz jalata hoon.

Parchhayi bhi ab din ke ujaale mein mera haath darr kar chhod deti hai, Kehti hai, tera dard itna bhari hai shayar, mujhse ab aur uthaya nahi jaata.

Mere akelepan ka zikr kabhi aasmaan ke unn toot'te taaron se zaroor karna, Jo mere rone ki aawaz sun kar, zameen par khud ko maar girate hain.

Meri udaan ko rokne ke liye inhone aasmaan pe naye pehre laga diye, Unhe cheekh ke bata do, shayar par (wings) se nahi, ragon ki hawa se udta hai!

Chingariyon ko dabbaane ka khauf un aam, murda jismo ko dikhana shehar ke, Mere khoon mein toh poora samandar bhi utre, toh jal kar dhuaan ho jaye!

Thokar maar kar ki samajhte ho is boodhe darakht (tree) ko gira doge? Meri jadd (roots) mein tumhari puri naslon ke thehre hue kankal (skeletons) dabe hain!

Kismat ki dar-badar aur be-reham thokaron ne mujhe kachha loha bana diya hai, Jis din main tootunga... tumhare shehar ke saare shishe kaanp jayenge!

Hawaon ne bhari mehfil mein aelaan kiya tha mere is charagh ko bujhane ka, Main thoda muskuraya, aur apni hi rooh ko aag lagakar saara shehar jalaa diya!

Meri khokli shayari pe 'wah-wah' karne walon, ab thoda hoshiyaar rehna, Tumhare hothon se theek us waqt, meri zinda maut ka guzaara ho raha hai.

In kaale panno par maine apne khoon ki aakhiri garm boondein tak nichod di, Aur tum inhe sirf ghazal samajh kar, apne dilon ko behlaane aa gaye.

Mere alfazon mein jo ye thehrao hai, wo umr ya bujurgi ki thakaan nahi hai, Ye wo maut jaisi shanti hai... jo samandar sunaami se theek pehle leta hai.

Main chala jaunga is mehfil ko aakhiri aadaab karke ek haseen din... Lekin mere kahe hue ye lafz, sadiyon tak tumhari neendein haram karenge.

Aaj meri is khamosh awaaz par, chaho toh taaliyan bajakar mujhe wida zaroor kar do... Kyunki jis din meri kabar se aawaz aayi... tumhara khuda bhi apna aasmaan chhod dega!

Zindagi ke khilone se khelte-khelte umr ka lamba din dhal gaya, Jab ghar laut-te waqt mutthi kholi, toh haath mein sirf khali kashkol (begging bowl) tha.

Maut ki chaukhat pe khade hokar maine pucha 'aur kitni der hai?', Zindagi pichhe se muskura kar boli, 'tu dar-asal zinda hi kab tha shayar?'

Khwaabon ki aag mein jal kar raakh hue mujhe yahan muddatein beet gayin, Par log aaj bhi in thandi lakdiyon se apne barfeele haath sekne aate hain.

Saans lene ko yahan jeena samajh liya hai is naye, na-samajh daur ne, Humein dekho doston, hum andar se sadiyon pehle dafan hain aur bahar aabad ghoomte hain.

Aaine se bhi ab jhooth bolne ka mukammal hunar aa gaya hai is umr mein, Woh poonchta hai kaisa dard? Aur main muskura kar apna naseeb bata deta hoon.

Uski aakhiri mulakaat ki khushboo se meri aakhiri saansein aaj tak thehri hain, Farishte rooh lene aaye toh darr kar bole, 'yahan toh kisi aur khuda ka kabza hai.'

Sajde mein gidgida kar khuda ko pukara, par hothon pe aayat sirf uski aayi, Khuda bhi aasman se has kar bola, 'ae deewane, teri jannat toh zameen par hi toot gayi.'

Ishq mein mukammal barbad hone ka apna ek alag hi nasha tha ae zamaane, Humne haste-haste apna aakhiri wajood bech diya, uski thehri hui ek aahat khareedne ko.

Jism se rooh nikalne ka tajurba kaisa hota hai kabhi fursat mein poochho humse? Maine dhadakte huye seene se, kisi apne ko ek pal mein ajnabi bante huye dekha hai.

Meri namaz-e-ishq ki kaza ka azaab ab is bheed se na poonchho zamaane walo, Main jis masjid mein roya, wahan mitti aur pattharon ne bhi sadiyaan tak roze rakhe.

Kamre ke us andhere kone ne mujhe kal thehar kar, rote hue pukara, Bola 'shayar mere paas aaja, tera ye bhayankar shor mujh akelepan se sahaa nahi jata.'

Aansuon ki namak se ab meri ragon ka behta hua lahu bhi hamesha ke liye thehar gaya hai, Main andar se ek banjar aur sookhi zameen hoon, bas bahar se meetha dariya dikhta hoon.

Khamoshi ki aakhiri cheekh agar sunni ho toh meri in band aur namm aankhon mein dekh, Yahan har roz ek sadi purana qayamat ka khwaab lagataar jal kar bujhta hai.

Main apne aap se andhere mein baatein karke ab thak chuka hoon is kadar, Ki ab meri parchhayi bhi galti se aawaz de, toh main kaanp kar rone lagta hoon.

Sannate ne meri thehri hui dhadkan se kal badi shiddat se aakar poocha, 'Tu waqai mein insaan bacha hai, ya khuda ne tujhe dard ka aakhiri farishta bana diya?'

Andhiyon ko kaho apni mitti ki aukaat mein reh kar guzre mere is thehre aangan se, Main is zameen ka wo beej hoon jise patthar faad kar bahar nikalne ki sadiyon ki aadat hai!

Meri thehri hui raakh se khelne walo, is saadharan hawa pe zyada aitbaar na karna, Main bujha nahi hoon doston, bas apne andar ke bhayankar tufaan ka intezaar kar raha hoon!

Kismat ne mere par (wings) kaat kar samjha tha aasmaan uski akeli mutthi mein hai, Main mamooli parinda nahi tha saahab, ragon mein ubalta hua aatish-fashan (volcano) tha!

Zameen pe girane ka laakh shauk poora kar le ye magroor aur ghamandi zamaana, Main jitni baar girunga, mitti mein utni hi dafa naye bhukamp (earthquakes) paida karunga!

Log kehte hain umr aur tajurbe ke sath mere lafzon ka thehra hua zahar dhul jayega, Main 60 saal aag pe baith kar apna khoon peeta hoon, mujh mein shanti kahan se aayegi!

Tum meri is shab-e-mehfil ko in sasti aur khokhli taaliyon se thehar kar mat taulna, Main apni zinda rooh ki khaal uched kar yeh dard-bhari syahi (ink) banata hoon.

In kaale panno ke theek neeche, dari hui meri guzri jawani ka aakhiri janaaza rakha hai, Tum inhe sunkar yahan jhoomte ho, aur wahan meri bachi-kuchi saansein berahami se kat rahi hain.

Ye faqat do kaudi ki shayari nahi hai, mera aakhiri aur sucha wasiyat-nama (will) hai zamaane, Main har ek lafz ke sath apni bikhri hui umr ka zinda wajood tumhare naam kar raha hoon.

Mujhe bujha hua, thehra hua shayar samajhne walo ab zara poori sadiyon ki saans rok lo apni, Main apne saath saal ke bhayankar sannate ki aakhiri qeemat lene is mehfil mein utra hoon!

Aaj meri is khamoshi ke baad jo thehra hua sannata girega is bhari mehfil mein... Kasam khuda ki, agar aaj asmaan ko khoon rona na aaye, toh mera ye kafan mujhe wapas lauta dena!

Umr ki dhool jhaadte-jhaadte haathon ki saari lakeerein hi mita di maine, Ab taqdeer dekhne wale bhi rote hain ki is hatheli pe naseeb kahan tha.

Zindagi ne sadiyon tak mujhe bas rulaane ki bhari fees wasool ki hai, Maut ne aakar bina kauri (penny) liye, hamesha ke liye azaad kar diya.

Makaan banate-banate humne us mitti ka hi poora khoon pi liya ae-doston, Jab chhat padi, toh pata chala andar rehne wala insaan kab ka mar chuka tha.

Saanson ka sauda bada mehenga pada is farebi aur chhalak zamaane mein, Hum udhaar ki saans lete rahe, aur unhone hamari poori rooh girwi rakh li.

Kabron pe lage pattharon ka guroor aaj kal mujhe bada sasta lagta hai, Zinda jismon mein chalte huye qabristaan dekhe hain maine is shehar mein.

Uski ek adhoori si pukaar pe maine apne kaanon ke parde faad diye the, Is darr se ki uski aawaz ke baad, ab koi aur is rooh ko aawaz na de de.

Tere hothon ki thandi raakh mein maine jo aakhiri sajda utara tha ae-mehboob, Uske baad asmaan ke farishton ne meri namaaz lene se inkaar kar diya.

Jism ko nochne wale kya samjhenge ishq ke is thehre huye azaab (torment) ko, Humne toh band aankhon se bhi bas uski aahat ka tawaaf (circumambulation) kiya hai.

Teri mehak ne meri ragon ko is qadar gulam aur paagal bana rakha hai, Ki ab khuda ka naam bhi loon, toh zehen mein tasweer teri hi banti hai.

Barbaadi ka jashn ishq mein is shaan se manaya tha maine zamaane walo, Log aag bujhane aaye the, aur humne unhe apni garm raakh se jalaa diya.

Deewarein bhi kal raat mere rone par is qadar sharminda aur behre-haal hui, Unhone chhat se gir kar khudkushi kar li, par mera akelepan kam na hua.

Aansu banjar ho gaye hain meri in bikhri aur sookhi hui nigaahon mein, Ab gham aaye bhi toh main muskura kar kehta hoon, 'jagah khaali nahi hai.'

Parchhai ne bhi andhere mein mera haath badi berahami se jhatak diya doston, Kehti hai tu andar se itna andha hai shayar, tujhe meri ab zaroorat kahan.

Sannate ka shor jab kano mein pighla hua seesa (lead) ban kar utarta hai, Toh main cheekhne ki jagah, apne hi zehen ke tukde chabane lagta hoon.

Apni zinda laash ka bojh is qadar lamba dhoya hai maine apne hi kandhon pe, Ki ab raste ka koi murda bhi dikhe, toh main thehar kar use salaam karta hoon.

Tufaanon ki aukaat kya jo meri ragon mein ubalti hui is aag ko rokein! Main wo dariya hoon jiske thehrao mein bhi bawandar (hurricane) saans leta hai!

Raakh se uthne ka hunar un murda parindon ko sikhana is aasmaan walo, Main toh aag mein kud kar, aag ko hi hamesha ke liye jalaane ka shauk rakhta hoon!

Muqaddar ki kachi lakeerein mitane ki na-kaam koshish karta hai ye zamana, Main ragon ka khoon nikal kar, lohe ke pahaadon par apni manzil likhta hoon!

Baaz ki udaan aur mere bhayankar thehrao mein faqat itna sa farq hai ae hawaon, Wo asmaan ko naapta hai, aur main aasmaan ko zameen par ghaseet laata hoon!

Toot kar choor ho jaunga ye bhool kar bhi mat sochna ae mitti ke khilauno... Meri haddiyon ka har ek tukda, tumhare bikhre huye seene mein khanjar ban kar utrega!

Tum jin thehre huye lafzon pe aaj meri is mehfil mein 'wah-wah' pukaar rahe ho, Sadiyon pehle yeh meri ragon se tapka hua, khaulta (boiling) hua zinda lahu tha.

Meri aawaz ka thehrao jab is kamre ki khamoshi ko aari (saw) se kaat-ta hai, Toh tumhari taaliyan meri shayari par nahi, tumhare khud ke darr par bajti hain!

Mere jaane ke baad meri in bikhri hui dastaano ko mitti mein chupa zaroor dena... Warna in panno ki kashish tumhari aane wali poori naslon ko jalaa kar raakh kar degi.

Ye mehfil, ye raushni, ye log, sab kuch mahaz ek thehra hua dokha hai doston... Asli qayamat toh us waqt aayegi, jab is bujurg shayar ka qalam aakhiri saans lega!

Aaj mere is thehrao ko apni taaliyon se dabaane ki nakam koshish kar lo zamaane walo... Kasam ishq ki, jis din khamosh hua, toh asmaan apna naseeb rone khud is zameen par aayega!

Saari umr jis mitti ke guroor mein aasmaan se bagaawat ki humne ae-doston, Aakhiri safar mein usi mitti ne humein, apne thehre hue bojh tale daba liya.

Nange paon bhatakta raha main umr bhar jin aala manzilon ki talaash mein, Thokar lagi toh pata chala, barbaadi ka raasta mere apne hi ghar se shuru tha.

Hum thodi si saansein bacha kar guroor mein the ki abhi poori umr baaki hai, Waqt ne has kar kaha, 'ae ghaafil, ye bachi hui saansein nahi, tera ruka hua qaza hai.'

Sadiyon purana ajeeb shor tha mere seene mein is chanchal zindagi ka, Maut ne aakar bas ek baar hothon par ungli rakhi, aur qayamat tak sannata ho gaya.

Apne banaye huye kachche sheesh-mahal pe itna na itra ae be-khabar zamaane, Tu khaak se utha tha, meri aakhiri hawa ke ek jhonke mein khaak ho jayega.

Uski ek kaatil nigaah ne is qadar bikhra diya mere thehre hue wajood ko, Ki phir kabhi khuda ke aage bhi, mere haath ibaadat mein jud kar nahi uthe.

Woh samne tha toh dhadkano ka khaulna saaf sunayi deta tha meri ragon mein, Door gaya toh aisa laga, jaisey seene ki saari nadiyaan andar hi andar sookh gayin.

Masjidon ke chiraagh toh phir bhi hawaon se dar kar kisi raat bujh gaye honge, Maine toh uski thehri hui yaad ko, apne tapte hue khoon se jalana seekha hai.

Humein bewafaai ka taana dene walo pehle mere ishq ki aakhiri shartein toh padh lo, Humne uske thehre hue paon ki dhool ko bhi, sadiyon tak palkon pe utha kar rakha hai.

Jism ke aage ki mohabbat ka azeem tajurba kahan hai is kachche aur naye zamaane ko, Humne toh band kamre mein uski rooh ki parchhai se bhi, ijaazat le kar baat ki hai.

Kamre ki thehri deewaron ne mujhse kal raat cheekh kar aakhiri darkhaast ki, 'Shayar, ab rona band kar, humari ibtdaayi buniyaad tak buri tarah kaanp chuki hai.'

Gham ne bhi ab mere is sadiyon purane banjar aangan mein aane se inkaar kar diya, Kehta hai, jahan aansu hi umr bhar se murda ho gaye hon, wahan jashn kaisa manau.

Meri barson ki khamoshi ka bhayankar shor ab meri hi thehri saanson ko kaat-ta hai, Log samajhte hain main sukoon mein hoon, par mere andar ek poora dozakh (hell) aabaad hai.

Andhere mein apna aaina dekhne ki ajeeb se lat lag gayi hai ab mujhe doston, Main khud se darta hoon, aur mera be-jaan aks thehar kar mujhse panaah maangta hai.

Meri zinda laash ko ab kandha dene, maut apna guroor tod kar khud chali aati hai, Boli, 'shayar tu sadiyon pehle thehar gaya, saansein lene ka ye sasta naatak ab chhod de.'

Tufaan ko aukaat dikhaane nikla hoon main in kachhi kashtiyon pe sawaar hokar, Mujhe andhi ka darr mat dikha, main maut ki aakhiri aankhon mein aag jhokne aaya hoon!

Zamane ne socha thokar marunga toh yeh khilauna sheeshe ki tarah bikhar jayega, Jab thehar kar utha... toh saale har ek tukde ne poore shehar ke kachche gale kaat diye!

Mere paron ko kaat kar aasmaan apna maan lene wale is ghamandi parindon suno, Meri zidd ki ek pukaar aayi, toh tumhara aasmaan khud meri zameen par ghutne tek dega!

Lahu se likhi meri kismat mitaane nikle the yeh kachhi pencil wale thekedaar, Maine hatheli ka khoon dikhaya, aur bhari bheed mein inke maazi (past) dho diye!

Hawaon ke rukh par toh kachche murde bhi behte hain is thehri hui duniya mein, Main woh baaghi aag hoon jo ulte rukh beh kar, sadiyon purane samandaron ka paani ubaal deta hoon!

Mere in thehre alfaazon ki tapish ko apni in sasti taaliyon ki hawa se bujhaane walo, Kasam khuda ki, mere thehrao ki ek aanch tum tak aayi, toh tumhari saari naslein jhulas jayengi.

Tum ghazal samajh ke jhoomte ho mere khoon ki in aakhiri garm boondon par, Main shayari nahi karta ae-mehfil, main zinda insaanon mein apni maut ka zehar baant-ta hoon.

Bujhe hue khokhale charaghon ka darr ab is saath-saal purane shayar ko dikhana chhod do, Main jab thehar kar bujhta hoon, toh saare shehar ka jhootha ujala hamesha ke liye sookh jata hai.

Sadiyon baad bhi jab meri is bikhri diary ke laal panne tumhari hawa mein udenge, Toh inki khakh se janam lene wali woh ziddi chingari tumhari buniyaad ukhad kar phek degi.

Aaj meri is thehri hui aawaz ko apne khokhale gumaan (pride) mein bilkul mat dabaana zamaane... Kyunki jis din meri khamoshi fati, tumhara khuda khud phat kar is zameen pe bheed mein ro dega!

Zindagi ke khate mein sirf mitti ka ek aakhiri udhaar bacha hai doston, Saanson ka hisaab toh waqt ne mere khoon se sadiyon pehle hi chuka liya.

Maut ki chaukhat pe dastak di toh farishton ne rote huye darwaza khola, Bole, 'Andar aaja ae thehre huye shayar, tera yeh bikhra wajood ab khud khuda se dekha nahi jata.'

Bhari mehfil mein akele marne ka hunar bhi humne kya khoob seekha hai, Log samajhte rahe hum wajd (trance) mein the, aur hum chup-chaap apni rooh qurban kar gaye.

Umr bhar taaron ki chamak pe mita, aur aakhiri waqt andheron ne gale laga liya, Sach kahu ae-zamaane, jhoothi roshni se accha, mitti ka sachha sannata nikla.

Kafan ka kapda jab pehnaya ja raha tha, toh darzi ke haath buri tarah kaanp uthe, Usne dheere se kahan, 'Saahab, aapki haddiyon mein toh abhi bhi chita ki aag baaki hai.'