koi bhuli hui shai taq-e-har-manzar pe rakkhi thi

koī bhūlī huī shai tāq-e-har-manzar pe rakkhī thī

sitāre chhat pe rakkhe the shikan bistar pe rakkhī thī

laraz jaatā thā bāhar jhāñkne se us kā tan saarā

siyāhī jaane kin rātoñ kī us ke dar pe rakkhī thī

vo apne shahr ke miTte hue kirdār par chup thā

ajab ik lāpata zaat us ke apne sar pe rakkhī thī

kahāñ kī sair-e-haft-aflāk uupar dekh lete the

hasīñ ujlī kapāsī barf bāl-o-par pe rakkhī thī

koī kyā jāntā kyā chiiz kis par bojh hai 'bānī'

zarā sī os yuuñ to sīna-e-patthar pe rakkhī thī

koi bhuli hui shai taq-e-har-manzar pe rakkhi thi

sitare chhat pe rakkhe the shikan bistar pe rakkhi thi

laraz jata tha bahar jhankne se us ka tan sara

siyahi jaane kin raaton ki us ke dar pe rakkhi thi

wo apne shahr ke miTte hue kirdar par chup tha

ajab ek lapata zat us ke apne sar pe rakkhi thi

kahan ki sair-e-haft-aflak upar dekh lete the

hasin ujli kapasi barf baal-o-par pe rakkhi thi

koi kya jaanta kya chiz kis par bojh hai 'bani'

zara si os yun to sina-e-patthar pe rakkhi thi