ham ne avval to kabhī us ko pukārā hī nahīñ

aur pukārā to pukārā bhī sadāoñ ke baġhair

hum ne awwal to kabhi us ko pukara hi nahin

aur pukara to pukara bhi sadaon ke baghair

ye jo rātoñ ko mujhe ḳhvāb nahīñ aate 'atā'

is kā matlab hai mirā yaar ḳhafā hai mujh se

ye jo raaton ko mujhe KHwab nahin aate 'ata'

is ka matlab hai mera yar KHafa hai mujh se

zindagī ḳhvāb hai aur ḳhvāb bhī aisā ki miyāñ

sochte rahiye ki is ḳhvāb kī ta.abīr hai kyā

zindagi KHwab hai aur KHwab bhi aisa ki miyan

sochte rahiye ki is KHwab ki tabir hai kya

saḌak pe baiTh ga.e dekhte hue duniyā

aur aise tark huī ek ḳhud-kushī ham se

saDak pe baiTh gae dekhte hue duniya

aur aise tark hui ek KHud-kushi hum se

nā-rasā.ī ne ajab taur sikhā.e haiñ 'atā'

ya.anī bhūle bhī nahīñ tum ko pukārā bhī nahīñ

na-rasai ne ajab taur sikhae hain 'ata'

yani bhule bhi nahin tum ko pukara bhi nahin