aasman par ek sitara sham se betab hai

āsmāñ par ik sitāra shaam se betāb hai

merī āñkhoñ meñ tumhārā ġham nahīñ hai ḳhvāb hai

raat dariyā aa.ine meñ is tarah aayā ki maiñ

ye samajh kar so gayā dariyā nahīñ ik ḳhvāb hai

kāmanī sūrat meñ bhī ik aarzū hai mahv-e-ḳhvāb

sāñvlī rañgat meñ bhī ik vasl kā kam-ḳhvāb hai

merī ḳhātir kuchh sunahrī sāñvlī miTTī bhī thī

varna us kā jism saarā raushnī kā ḳhvāb hai

āsmāñ ik bistar-e-sanjāb lagtā hai mujhe

aur ye qaus-e-quzah jaise koī mehrāb hai

kis ke istiqbāl ko uTThe the dīvānoñ ke haath

kis ke mātam ko yahāñ ye majma'-e-ahbāb hai

yā ilāhābād meñ rahiye jahāñ sañgam bhī ho

yā banāras meñ jahāñ har ghaaT par sailāb hai

is nahañg-e-tishna se zor-āzmā ho kar 'jamīl'

bhuul mat jaanā ki aage bhī vahī girdāb hai

aasman par ek sitara sham se betab hai

meri aankhon mein tumhaara gham nahin hai KHwab hai

raat dariya aaine mein is tarah aaya ki main

ye samajh kar so gaya dariya nahin ek KHwab hai

kaamani surat mein bhi ek aarzu hai mahw-e-KHwab

sanwli rangat mein bhi ek wasl ka kam-KHwab hai

meri KHatir kuchh sunahri sanwli miTTi bhi thi

warna us ka jism sara raushni ka KHwab hai

aasman ek bistar-e-sanjab lagta hai mujhe

aur ye qaus-e-quzah jaise koi mehrab hai

kis ke istiqbaal ko uTThe the diwanon ke hath

kis ke matam ko yahan ye majma'-e-ahbab hai

ya ilahabaad mein rahiye jahan sangam bhi ho

ya banaras mein jahan har ghaT par sailab hai

is nahang-e-tishna se zor-azma ho kar 'jamil'

bhul mat jaana ki aage bhi wahi girdab hai