wo zindagi hai usko KHafa kya kare koi

vo zindagī hai us ko ḳhafā kyā kare koī

paanī ko sāhiloñ se judā kyā kare koī

bārish kā pahlā qatra hī bastī Dubo gayā

ab apnī jaañ kā qarz adā kyā kare koī

jab gard uḌ rahī ho harīm-e-ḳhayāl meñ

ā.īna dekhne ke sivā kyā gire koī

vo kyā ga.e ki shahr hī vīrān ho gayā

ab jañgaloñ meñ rah ke sadā kyā kare koī

apne badan kī aag se sham.eñ jalā.iye

kachche gharoñ meñ jashn-e-hinā kyā kare koī

zahrāb-e-zindagī to ragoñ meñ utar gayā

ab ai ġham-e-firāq batā kyā kare koī

miTTī se kheltā huā rizq-e-havā huā

'aḳhtar' ab aur sharh-e-vafā kyā kare koī

wo zindagi hai us ko KHafa kya kare koi

pani ko sahilon se juda kya kare koi

barish ka pahla qatra hi basti Dubo gaya

ab apni jaan ka qarz ada kya kare koi

jab gard uD rahi ho harim-e-KHayal mein

aaina dekhne ke siwa kya gire koi

wo kya gae ki shahr hi viran ho gaya

ab jangalon mein rah ke sada kya kare koi

apne badan ki aag se shamen jalaiye

kachche gharon mein jashn-e-hina kya kare koi

zahrab-e-zindagi to ragon mein utar gaya

ab ai gham-e-firaq bata kya kare koi

miTTi se khelta hua rizq-e-hawa hua

'aKHtar' ab aur sharh-e-wafa kya kare koi