kabhi zaban pe na aaya ki aarzu kya hai
gharib dil pe ajab hasraton ka saya hai

saba ne jagti aankhon ko chum chum liya
na jaane aakhir-e-shab intizar kis ka hai

ye kis ki jalwagari kaenat hai meri
ki khak ho ke bhi dil shola-e-tamanna hai

teri nazar ki bahaar-afriniyan taslim
magar ye dil mein jo kanta sa ek khatakta hai

jahan-e-fikr-o-nazar ki uda rahi hai hansi
ye zindagi jo sar-e-rahguzar tamasha hai

ye dasht wo hai jahan rasta nahin milta
abhi se laut chalo ghar abhi ujala hai

yahi raha hai bas ek dil ke gham-gusaron mein
thahar thahar ke jo aansu palak tak aata hai

thahar gae ye kahan aa ke roz o shab 'akhtar'
ki aaftab hai sar par magar andhera hai