aankh ko husn ka shahkar dikhane se rahi

aañkh ko husn kā shāhkār dikhāne se rahī

shā.irī un ke ḳhad-o-ḳhāl banāne se rahī

ye sabhī dasht mirā josh-e-junūñ jānte haiñ

ye havā merī tarah ḳhaak uḌāne se rahī

terī bāñheñ na sahī vus.at-e-sahrā hī sahī

merī miTTī to kisī taur Thikāne se rahī

ham ne bhī chehra badalne kā hunar siikh liyā

dostī apnī bhī kuchh roz zamāne se rahī

khaa.e jaatā hai shab-o-roz tire hijr kā ġham

merī tanhā.ī mirī umr baḌhāne se rahī

ab kisī aur ke dar pe hai yaqīnan 'aḳhtar'

zindagī mujh se to ab aañkh milāne se rahī

aankh ko husn ka shahkar dikhane se rahi

shairi un ke KHad-o-KHal banane se rahi

ye sabhi dasht mera josh-e-junun jaante hain

ye hawa meri tarah KHak uDane se rahi

teri banhen na sahi wusat-e-sahra hi sahi

meri miTTi to kisi taur Thikane se rahi

hum ne bhi chehra badalne ka hunar sikh liya

dosti apni bhi kuchh roz zamane se rahi

khae jata hai shab-o-roz tere hijr ka gham

meri tanhai meri umr baDhane se rahi

ab kisi aur ke dar pe hai yaqinan 'aKHtar'

zindagi mujh se to ab aankh milane se rahi