main dekh hi raha tha ki yak-dam bhanwar phira

maiñ dekh hī rahā thā ki yak-dam bhañvar phirā

ghūmā sadaf nigāh meñ us meñ guhar phirā

sīdhe subhāv ziist samajhnā muhāl hai

is kaam ko bhī chāhiye mujh sā hī sar-phirā

ham to sadā se basta-e-yak-tār-e-chashm haiñ

ḳhadsha sā terī samt se hai tū agar phirā

yak-dam kisī kī yaad meñ āñkheñ bhar aa.ī thiiñ

ik din yūñhī ḳhayāl sū-e-chashm-e-tar phirā

'aḳhtar' zar-e-suḳhan kī kisī ko talab nahīñ

maiñ to ise uThā.e hue dar-ba-dar phirā

main dekh hi raha tha ki yak-dam bhanwar phira

ghuma sadaf nigah mein us mein guhar phira

sidhe subhaw zist samajhna muhaal hai

is kaam ko bhi chahiye mujh sa hi sar-phira

hum to sada se basta-e-yak-tar-e-chashm hain

KHadsha sa teri samt se hai tu agar phira

yak-dam kisi ki yaad mein aankhen bhar aai thin

ek din yunhi KHayal su-e-chashm-e-tar phira

'aKHtar' zar-e-suKHan ki kisi ko talab nahin

main to ise uThae hue dar-ba-dar phira