ek umr bhaTakte rahe ghar hi nahin aaya

ik umr bhaTakte rahe ghar hī nahīñ aayā

sāhil kī tamannā thī nazar hī nahīñ aayā

raushan haiñ jahāñ sham-e-mohabbat kī qatāreñ

vo kunj-e-kam-āsār nazar hī nahīñ aayā

maiñ jhuuT ko sachchā.ī ke paikar meñ sajātā

kyā kījiye mujh ko ye hunar hī nahīñ aayā

vo gumbad-e-be-dar thā ki dīvār-e-anā thī

manzar koī bāhar kā nazar hī nahīñ aayā

ik aisā safar bhī mujhe darpesh thā logo

kuchh kaam jahāñ zād-e-safar hī nahīñ aayā

baiThe rahe palkoñ ko bichhā.e sar-e-rāhe

vo jān-e-jahāñ-gasht idhar hī nahīñ aayā

ik pal ko jahāñ baiThā huuñ thak kar kabhī 'aḳhtar'

raste meñ koī aisā shajar hī nahīñ aayā

ek umr bhaTakte rahe ghar hi nahin aaya

sahil ki tamanna thi nazar hi nahin aaya

raushan hain jahan sham-e-mohabbat ki qataren

wo kunj-e-kam-asar nazar hi nahin aaya

main jhuT ko sachchai ke paikar mein sajata

kya kijiye mujh ko ye hunar hi nahin aaya

wo gumbad-e-be-dar tha ki diwar-e-ana thi

manzar koi bahar ka nazar hi nahin aaya

ek aisa safar bhi mujhe darpesh tha logo

kuchh kaam jahan zad-e-safar hi nahin aaya

baiThe rahe palkon ko bichhae sar-e-rahe

wo jaan-e-jahan-gasht idhar hi nahin aaya

ek pal ko jahan baiTha hun thak kar kabhi 'aKHtar'

raste mein koi aisa shajar hi nahin aaya