kuchh naqsh huwaida hain khayalon ki dagar se
shayad kabhi guzra hun main is rah-guzar se

galiyan bhi hain sunsan dariche bhi hain khamosh
qadmon ki ye aawaz dar aai hai kidhar se

taqon mein charaghon ka dhuan jam sa gaya hai
ab hum bhi nikalte nahin ujde hue ghar se

kyun kaghzi phulon se sajata nahin ghar ko
is daur ko shikwa hai mere zauq-e-hunar se

sae ki tarah koi taaqub mein rawan hai
ab bach ke kahan jaenge ek shoabda-gar se

'akhtar' ye ghane abr bade tang-nazar hain
utthe hain jo dariya se to dariya pe hi barse