ye jo hum atlas o kim-KHwab liye phirte hain

ye jo ham atlas o kim-ḳhvāb liye phirte haiñ

azmat-e-rafta ke ādāb liye phirte haiñ

dekh kar un ko laraz jaatī hai har mauj-e-balā

apnī kashtī meñ jo girdāb liye phirte haiñ

tiir kitne haiñ la.iiñ aur tire tarkash meñ

dekh ham sīna-e-be-tāb liye phirte haiñ

dekhnā un ko bhī Das legī kaḌe vaqt kī dhuup

vo jo kuchh ḳhvāhish-e-shādāb liye phirte haiñ

apnī tahzīb kā ab koī talabgār nahīñ

be-sabab ham par-e-surḳhāb liye phirte haiñ

merā bhī kāsa-e-ta.abīr hai ḳhālī ḳhālī

vo bhī āñkhoñ meñ ka.ī ḳhvāb liye phirte haiñ

tīrgī shahr-e-ġhazālāñ se nikaltī hī nahīñ

laakh vo sūrat-e-mahtāb liye phirte haiñ

ye to sadqa hai husain-ibn-e-alī kā 'aḳhtar'

tishnagī ham jo sar-e-āb liye phirte haiñ

ye jo hum atlas o kim-KHwab liye phirte hain

azmat-e-rafta ke aadab liye phirte hain

dekh kar un ko laraz jati hai har mauj-e-bala

apni kashti mein jo girdab liye phirte hain

tir kitne hain lain aur tere tarkash mein

dekh hum sina-e-be-tab liye phirte hain

dekhna un ko bhi Das legi kaDe waqt ki dhup

wo jo kuchh KHwahish-e-shadab liye phirte hain

apni tahzib ka ab koi talabgar nahin

be-sabab hum par-e-surKHab liye phirte hain

mera bhi kasa-e-tabir hai KHali KHali

wo bhi aankhon mein kai KHwab liye phirte hain

tirgi shahr-e-ghazalan se nikalti hi nahin

lakh wo surat-e-mahtab liye phirte hain

ye to sadqa hai husain-ibn-e-ali ka 'aKHtar'

tishnagi hum jo sar-e-ab liye phirte hain