Kab wo sunta hai kahani meri

kab wo sunta hai kahani meri
aur phir wo bhi zabani meri

when does she ever heed my state
and that too then when I narrate

KHalish-e-ghamza-e-KHun-rez na puchh
dekh KHunaba-fishani meri

of murderous glance ask not the pain
see tears of blood that my eyes rain

kya bayan kar ke mera roenge yar
magar aashufta-bayani meri

what else will friends relate, bemoan
but for my verses' distressed tone

hun za-KHud rafta-e-baida-e-KHayal
bhul jaana hai nishani meri

I roam in thought's deserts alone
by my forgetfulness I'm known

mutaqabil hai muqabil mera
ruk gaya dekh rawani meri

my rival sits now face to face
he's flummoxed by my wit and grace

qadr-e-sang-e-sar-e-rah rakhta hun
saKHt arzan hai girani meri

me as a roadside rock they view
real low priced is my high value

gard-baad-e-rah-e-betabi hun
sarsar-e-shauq hai bani meri

whirlwind in paths of discontent
I'm wrought by gale of love's foment

dahan us ka jo na malum hua
khul gai hech madani meri

her mouth, to me, could not be known
my ignorance to all I've shown

kar diya zof ne aajiz 'ghaalib'
nang-e-piri hai jawani meri

me, feebleness does so debase
for dotage, my youth's a disgrace