nashat-e-duniya ko KHwab likhna masarraton ko sarab likhna

nashāt-e-duniyā ko ḳhvāb likhnā masarratoñ ko sarāb likhnā

jo ho sake to ġham-o-alam kī hikāyat-e-pur-kitāb likhnā

maiñ sarguzisht-e-hayāt apnī sahīfa-e-dil pe likh rahā huuñ

tū ahd-e-rafta ke mausamoñ ko na.e dinoñ kā azaab likhnā

maiñ apnī tahzīb ke havāle sipurd-e-qirtās kar chukā huuñ

tire muqaddar meñ kyā nahīñ hai koī daraḳhshanda baab likhnā

haiñ merī āñkhoñ meñ ḳhvāb tere isī liye to haiñ zaḳhm gahre

kisī ke bas meñ nahīñ hai shāyad hikāyat-e-iztirāb likhnā

maiñ apnī chashm-e-mushāhida se jo dekhtā huuñ vahī likhūñgā

ḳhilāf-e-shān-e-suḳhanvarī hai qasīda-e-āb-o-tāb likhnā

ye dasht-e-imkān-e-ārzū hai yahīñ ḳhayābān-e-justujū hai

yahāñ ke mausam kī sar-kashī ko alāmat-e-inqalāb likhnā

dayār-e-ehsās ke makīnoñ ke sar pe tāj-e-suḳhanvarī hai

to aise zinda diloñ ko 'aḳhtar' hamesha izzat-ma.āb likhnā

nashat-e-duniya ko KHwab likhna masarraton ko sarab likhna

jo ho sake to gham-o-alam ki hikayat-e-pur-kitab likhna

main sarguzisht-e-hayat apni sahifa-e-dil pe likh raha hun

tu ahd-e-rafta ke mausamon ko nae dinon ka azab likhna

main apni tahzib ke hawale sipurd-e-qirtas kar chuka hun

tere muqaddar mein kya nahin hai koi daraKHshanda bab likhna

hain meri aankhon mein KHwab tere isi liye to hain zaKHm gahre

kisi ke bas mein nahin hai shayad hikayat-e-iztirab likhna

main apni chashm-e-mushahida se jo dekhta hun wahi likhunga

KHilaf-e-shan-e-suKHanwari hai qasida-e-ab-o-tab likhna

ye dasht-e-imkan-e-arzu hai yahin KHayaban-e-justuju hai

yahan ke mausam ki sar-kashi ko alamat-e-inqalab likhna

dayar-e-ehsas ke makinon ke sar pe taj-e-suKHanwari hai

to aise zinda dilon ko 'aKHtar' hamesha izzat-maab likhna