jaane kyon mujhse bad-qayas raha

jaane kyoñ mujh se bad-qayās rahā

jo bhī yaañ mere ās-pās rahā

mujh ko koī yahāñ samajh na sakā

maiñ zamāne meñ be-libās rahā

phuul ik taaza aaj ai saaqī

terī mahfil meñ be-havās rahā

ek 'arsa huā khule na ye lab

un kī 'ismat kā mujh ko paas rahā

koī mahfil na raas aa.ī mujhe

bazm-e-sāqī meñ bhī udaas rahā

raat sunte rahe jo qissa-e-qais

saare maiḳhāne meñ hirās rahā

mere hote hue yahāñ 'ākif'

ye jahāñ mujh se nā-shanās rahā

jaane kyon mujh se bad-qayas raha

jo bhi yan mere aas-pas raha

mujh ko koi yahan samajh na saka

main zamane mein be-libas raha

phul ek taza aaj ai saqi

teri mahfil mein be-hawas raha

ek 'arsa hua khule na ye lab

un ki 'ismat ka mujh ko pas raha

koi mahfil na ras aai mujhe

bazm-e-saqi mein bhi udas raha

raat sunte rahe jo qissa-e-qais

sare maiKHane mein hiras raha

mere hote hue yahan 'akif'

ye jahan mujh se na-shanas raha