kabhi lutf-e-zaban-e-KHush-bayan the

kabhī lutf-e-zabān-e-ḳhush-bayāñ the

zamīn-e-sher ke ham āsmāñ the

lagā Thokar na paa.e naaz se tū

kabhī tāj-e-sar-e-hindostāñ the

zamīñ par charḳh detā hai abas tū

kabhī pīr-e-falak ham bhī javāñ the

zar-e-gul ban gayā naala hamārā

chaman meñ bhī hamīñ ātish-fishāñ the

makīñ thī ruuh chhoḌā jism jis dam

kirā.e ke ye sab qasr-o-makāñ the

vahī jañgal hai ab par us se aage

chaman the gul the ham the bāġhbāñ the

nahīñ ab zabt baaqī nā-tavāñ huuñ

mire aañsū nihāyat rāz-dāñ the

mire nāloñ se pahuñchā qāfila sab

jaras bekār mashġhūl-e-fuġhāñ the

jagāyā nā-tavāñ-bīnoñ ne un ko

abas vo mā.il-e-ḳhvāb-e-garāñ the

dabe zer-e-zamīñ ai charḳh mah-rū

yahāñ do din ke ye sab mehmāñ the

ajab mausam meñ kaTtī thī javānī

chaman thā aur lutf-e-qissa-ḳhvāñ the

kahāñ majnūñ kahāñ 'farhād'-o-'vāmiq'

hamārī maut ke sab nauha-ḳhvāñ the

savād-e-lucknow chhoḌā alam meñ

ye 'aḳhtar' bhī ġhazab ke ḳhush-bayāñ the

kabhi lutf-e-zaban-e-KHush-bayan the

zamin-e-sher ke hum aasman the

laga Thokar na pae naz se tu

kabhi taj-e-sar-e-hindostan the

zamin par charKH deta hai abas tu

kabhi pir-e-falak hum bhi jawan the

zar-e-gul ban gaya nala hamara

chaman mein bhi hamin aatish-fishan the

makin thi ruh chhoDa jism jis dam

kirae ke ye sab qasr-o-makan the

wahi jangal hai ab par us se aage

chaman the gul the hum the baghban the

nahin ab zabt baqi na-tawan hun

mere aansu nihayat raaz-dan the

mere nalon se pahuncha qafila sab

jaras bekar mashghul-e-fughan the

jagaya na-tawan-binon ne un ko

abas wo mail-e-KHwab-e-garan the

dabe zer-e-zamin ai charKH mah-ru

yahan do din ke ye sab mehman the

ajab mausam mein kaTti thi jawani

chaman tha aur lutf-e-qissa-KHwan the

kahan majnun kahan 'farhad'-o-'wamiq'

hamari maut ke sab nauha-KHwan the

sawad-e-lucknow chhoDa alam mein

ye 'aKHtar' bhi ghazab ke KHush-bayan the