la pila saqi sharab-e-arghawani phir kahan

lā pilā saaqī sharāb-e-arġhavānī phir kahāñ

zindagānī phir kahāñ nādāñ javānī phir kahāñ

do ghaḌī mil baiThne ko bhī ġhanīmat jāniye

umr faanī hī sahī ye umr-e-fānī phir kahāñ

aa ki ham bhī ik tarāna jhuum kar gaate chaleñ

is chaman ke tā.eroñ kī ham-zabānī phir kahāñ

hai zamāna ishq-e-salmā meñ gañvā de zindagī

ye zamāna phir kahāñ ye zindagānī phir kahāñ

ek hī bastī meñ haiñ āsāñ hai milnā aa milo

kyā ḳhabar le jaa.e daur-e-āsmānī phir kahāñ

fasl-e-gul jaane ko hai daur-e-ḳhizāñ aane ko hai

ye chaman ye bulbuleñ ye naġhma-ḳhvānī phir kahāñ

phuul chun jī khol kar aish-o-tarab ke phuul chun

mausam-e-gul phir kahāñ fasl-e-javānī phir kahāñ

āḳhirī raat aa ga.ī jī bhar ke mil leñ aaj to

tum se milne degā daur-e-āsmānī phir kahāñ

aaj aa.e ho to sunte jaao ye taaza ġhazal

varna 'aḳhtar' phir kahāñ ye sher-ḳhvānī phir kahāñ

la pila saqi sharab-e-arghawani phir kahan

zindagani phir kahan nadan jawani phir kahan

do ghaDi mil baiThne ko bhi ghanimat jaaniye

umr fani hi sahi ye umr-e-fani phir kahan

aa ki hum bhi ek tarana jhum kar gate chalen

is chaman ke taeron ki ham-zabani phir kahan

hai zamana ishq-e-salma mein ganwa de zindagi

ye zamana phir kahan ye zindagani phir kahan

ek hi basti mein hain aasan hai milna aa milo

kya KHabar le jae daur-e-asmani phir kahan

fasl-e-gul jaane ko hai daur-e-KHizan aane ko hai

ye chaman ye bulbulen ye naghma-KHwani phir kahan

phul chun ji khol kar aish-o-tarab ke phul chun

mausam-e-gul phir kahan fasl-e-jawani phir kahan

aaKHiri raat aa gai ji bhar ke mil len aaj to

tum se milne dega daur-e-asmani phir kahan

aaj aae ho to sunte jao ye taza ghazal

warna 'aKHtar' phir kahan ye sher-KHwani phir kahan