hujum-e-silsila-e-raftagan dikhai diya

hujūm-e-silsila-e-raftagāñ dikhā.ī diyā

zamīn par hī mujhe āsmāñ dikhā.ī diyā

maiñ aise shahr meñ kuchh din guzār aaya huuñ

har ek shaḳhs jahāñ be-zabāñ dikhā.ī diyā

nigār-ḳhāna-e-hairat meñ ek shab guzrī

phir us ke baad vo manzar kahāñ dikhā.ī diyā

samajh rahā thā jise apnā ham-safar vo bhī

harīs-e-mamlikat-e-jism-o-jāñ dikhā.ī diyā

faqat charāġh na the merī rahbarī ke liye

ik aa.ina bhī pas-e-kārvāñ dikhā.ī diyā

har ek shaḳhs dayār-e-suḳhan-faroshāñ meñ

naqīb-e-fitrat-e-bāzī-garāñ dikhā.ī diyā

kisī ne shahr ko sahrā banā diyā 'aḳhtar'

kisī ko dasht bhī ik sā.ebāñ dikhā.ī diyā

hujum-e-silsila-e-raftagan dikhai diya

zamin par hi mujhe aasman dikhai diya

main aise shahr mein kuchh din guzar aaya hun

har ek shaKHs jahan be-zaban dikhai diya

nigar-KHana-e-hairat mein ek shab guzri

phir us ke baad wo manzar kahan dikhai diya

samajh raha tha jise apna ham-safar wo bhi

haris-e-mamlikat-e-jism-o-jaan dikhai diya

faqat charagh na the meri rahbari ke liye

ek aaina bhi pas-e-karwan dikhai diya

har ek shaKHs dayar-e-suKHan-faroshan mein

naqib-e-fitrat-e-bazi-garan dikhai diya

kisi ne shahr ko sahra bana diya 'aKHtar'

kisi ko dasht bhi ek saeban dikhai diya