ajib rut thi barasti hui ghaTaen thin

'ajīb rut thī barastī huī ghaTā.eñ thiiñ

zamīñ ne pyaas kī oḌhī huī ridā.eñ thiiñ

vo kaisā qāfila guzrā vafā kī rāhoñ se

sitam kī ret pe phailī huī jafā.eñ thiiñ

hisār-e-zāt se niklā to aage sahrā thā

barahna sar the shajar chīḳhtī havā.eñ thiiñ

vo kaun log the jin ko safar nasīb na thā

vagarna shahr meñ kyā kyā kaḌī sazā.eñ thiiñ

maiñ apne aap se bachhḌā to ḳhvāb sūrat thā

mirī talāsh meñ bhaTkī huī sadā.eñ thiiñ

vo ek shaḳhs milā aur bichhaḌ gayā ḳhud hī

usī ke faiz se zinda mirī vafā.eñ thiiñ

koī ḳhayāl thā shāyad bhaTak gayā jo 'aqīl'

mire vujūd meñ shab bhar vahī nidā.eñ thiiñ

'ajib rut thi barasti hui ghaTaen thin

zamin ne pyas ki oDhi hui ridaen thin

wo kaisa qafila guzra wafa ki rahon se

sitam ki ret pe phaili hui jafaen thin

hisar-e-zat se nikla to aage sahra tha

barahna sar the shajar chiKHti hawaen thin

wo kaun log the jin ko safar nasib na tha

wagarna shahr mein kya kya kaDi sazaen thin

main apne aap se bachhDa to KHwab surat tha

meri talash mein bhaTki hui sadaen thin

wo ek shaKHs mila aur bichhaD gaya KHud hi

usi ke faiz se zinda meri wafaen thin

koi KHayal tha shayad bhaTak gaya jo 'aqil'

mere wujud mein shab bhar wahi nidaen thin