dar-ba-dar ki KHak peshani pe mal kar aaega

dar-ba-dar kī ḳhaak peshānī pe mal kar aa.egā

ghūm-phir kar rāsta phir mere hī ghar aa.egā

sāmne āñkhoñ ke phir yaḳh-basta manzar aa.egā

dhuup jam jā.egī āñgan meñ december aa.egā

shor kaisā apnī aahaT bhī na sun pāoge tum

is safar meñ aisā sannāTā to aksar aa.egā

jis kī ḳhātir shīsha-e-āvāz raushan hai bahut

us kī jānib se bhī ḳhāmoshī kā patthar aa.egā

sehn-e-dil meñ kab se tanhā.ī ke ḳheme nasb haiñ

ab na shāyad mausam-e-hañgāma-parvar aa.egā

zindagī bhar ham isī ummīd par chalte rahe

ab ke sahrā paar kar leñ to samundar aa.egā

munhadim ho jā.egī 'aḳhtar' fasīl-e-intishār

jab navāh-e-jāñ meñ vīrānī kā lashkar aa.egā

dar-ba-dar ki KHak peshani pe mal kar aaega

ghum-phir kar rasta phir mere hi ghar aaega

samne aankhon ke phir yaKH-basta manzar aaega

dhup jam jaegi aangan mein december aaega

shor kaisa apni aahaT bhi na sun paoge tum

is safar mein aisa sannaTa to aksar aaega

jis ki KHatir shisha-e-awaz raushan hai bahut

us ki jaanib se bhi KHamoshi ka patthar aaega

sehn-e-dil mein kab se tanhai ke KHeme nasb hain

ab na shayad mausam-e-hangama-parwar aaega

zindagi bhar hum isi ummid par chalte rahe

ab ke sahra par kar len to samundar aaega

munhadim ho jaegi 'aKHtar' fasil-e-intishaar

jab nawah-e-jaan mein virani ka lashkar aaega