Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi (Complete Ghazal)

Hazaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikle
Bahut nikle mere armaan lekin phir bhi kam nikle

Daray kyun mera qaatil kya rahega us ki gardan par
Woh khoon jo chashm-e-tar se umr bhar yun dam-ba-dam nikle

Nikalna khuld se Aadam ka sunte aaye hain lekin
Bahut be-aabroo ho kar tere kooche se hum nikle

Bharam khul jaaye zaalim tere qaamat ki daraazi ka
Agar is turra-e-pur-pech-o-kham ka pech-o-kham nikle

Magar likhwaye koi us ko khat to hum se likhwaye
Fasoon-e-khirad-o-zabaan tha jo lab se dam-ba-dam nikle

Hui is daur mein mansoob mujh se baada aashaami
Phir ik din woh bhi aayega ke mujh se jaam-o-jam nikle

Kahan maikhane ka darwaza Ghalib aur kahan waa'iz
Par itna jaante hain kal woh jaata tha ke hum nikle

Thousands of fervent desires, each so fierce that with every desire life's breath departs Many of my fond longings were fulfilled, yet so few did they still seem! Why should my beloved killer tremble? What guilt shall rest upon their neck For that grief-blood which poured forth ceaselessly from my weeping eyes all my life? We have long heard tales of Adam's expulsion from Paradise, Yet with far greater disgrace and humiliation did we depart from your street! The proud illusion of your towering stature would instantly crumble, O cruel one, If the intricate, serpentine coils of that braided tress were unfurled! If anyone must write a letter to the beloved, let them engage me to write, For words of pure sorcery and passion flow uninterrupted from my lips! In this intolerant era, the sin of wine-drinking was blamed solely on me, Yet a day shall come when my spirit will transcend the legendary cup of Jamshid! Where stands the threshold of the tavern, O Ghalib, and where stands the pious preacher? Yet this much we know: yesterday as he was entering, we were departing!