aankh ko husn ka shahkar dikhane se rahi
shairi un ke khad-o-khal banane se rahi

ye sabhi dasht mera josh-e-junun jaante hain
ye hawa meri tarah khak udane se rahi

teri banhen na sahi wusat-e-sahra hi sahi
meri mitti to kisi taur thikane se rahi

hum ne bhi chehra badalne ka hunar sikh liya
dosti apni bhi kuchh roz zamane se rahi

khae jata hai shab-o-roz tere hijr ka gham
meri tanhai meri umr badhane se rahi

ab kisi aur ke dar pe hai yaqinan 'akhtar'
zindagi mujh se to ab aankh milane se rahi