kaun sunta hai sirf zat ki baat
lab pe hai mere kaenat ki baat

kyun shikan pad gai hai abru par
main to kahta hun ek baat ki baat

shama roti hai tare dubte hain
ab fasana banegi raat ki baat

subh-e-nau muskurane wali hai
kya kahen shab ke hadsat ki baat

muztarib ho rahe hain diwane
hai tumhaari nawazishat ki baat

bazm-e-'akhtar' mein kyun khamosh ho tum
hai ye beja takallufat ki baat