gahri hai shab ki aanch ki zanjir-e-dar kate
tarikiyan badhe to sahar ka safar kate

kitni shadid hai ye khunuk surkhiyon ki sham
sulga hai wo sukut ki tar-e-nazar kate

saugand hai ki tark-e-talab ki saza mile
ruk jae gar qadam ki masafat to sar kate

kyun kusht-e-e'tibar bhi sarsar ki zad mein ho
kya intizar-e-khulq se fasl-e-hunar kate

yun bhi to ho ki sar ke sabab ho shikast-e-sang
ye bhi to ho kabhi ki shajar se tabar kate

khil jaen raushni pe mere pattharon ke rang
us raat si pahad ka sina magar kate

sadiyon safar hai 'shad' mujhe khud mera wajud
dil se ghubar rah chhute rahguzar kate