sham tanhai dhuan uThta barabar dekhte

shaam tanhā.ī dhuāñ uThtā barābar dekhte

phir sar-e-shab chāñd ubharne kā bhī manzar dekhte

jumbish-e-lab meñ mirī āvāz kī tasvīr hai

kaash vo bhī bolte lafzoñ ke paikar dekhte

sāhiloñ par sīpiyāñ thiiñ aur havā kā shor thā

pāniyoñ meñ Dūbte to koī gauhar dekhte

khiḌkiyoñ kī oT se andāza ho saktā nahīñ

shahr kā ahvāl tum ghar se nikal kar dekhte

aane vāloñ ke liye darvāze rahte haiñ khule

jaane vaale bhī kabhī muḌ kar sū-e-dar dekhte

bārishoñ meñ bhīgnā jismoñ kā ujlā bāñkpan

rāstoñ kī gard bhī ye log sar par dekhte

vo jinheñ dastār kī hasrat rahī hai umr bhar

mere shānoñ par kabhī 'aḳhtar' mirā sar dekhte

sham tanhai dhuan uThta barabar dekhte

phir sar-e-shab chand ubharne ka bhi manzar dekhte

jumbish-e-lab mein meri aawaz ki taswir hai

kash wo bhi bolte lafzon ke paikar dekhte

sahilon par sipiyan thin aur hawa ka shor tha

paniyon mein Dubte to koi gauhar dekhte

khiDkiyon ki oT se andaza ho sakta nahin

shahr ka ahwal tum ghar se nikal kar dekhte

aane walon ke liye darwaze rahte hain khule

jaane wale bhi kabhi muD kar su-e-dar dekhte

barishon mein bhigna jismon ka ujla bankpan

raston ki gard bhi ye log sar par dekhte

wo jinhen dastar ki hasrat rahi hai umr bhar

mere shanon par kabhi 'aKHtar' mera sar dekhte