khwahish-e-aish nahin dard-e-nihani ki qasam
bul-hawas khaya karen ishrat-e-fani ki qasam

ek gham-angez haqiqat hai hamari hasti
qissa-khwan teri gham-angez kahani ki qasam

dil ki gahraiyon mein aag dabi rakhta hun
chashm-e-giryan se baraste hue pani ki qasam

jab se aai hai khuda rakkhe jawani 'akhtar'
hum har ek baat par khate hain jawani ki qasam