yak-ba-yak mausam ki tabdili qayamat Dha gai

yak-ba-yak mausam kī tabdīlī qayāmat Dhā ga.ī

ruk ke sustānā thā jab mujh ko kaḌī dhuup aa ga.ī

din Dhale kis ko hai tajdīd-e-safar kā hausla

aatī jaatī rahguzar nāhaq mujhe bahkā ga.ī

bū-e-gul mauj-e-havā hai aur havā kyūñkar ruke

ab ke miTTī hī kī ḳhushbū merā ghar mahkā ga.ī

vo havā.eñ haiñ uḌe jaate haiñ pairāhan yahāñ

ai urūs-e-zīst tū kyuuñ ghar se bāhar aa ga.ī

ye havā aa.ī kahāñ se is se maiñ vāqif na thā

mere ghar meñ jo charāġhoñ kā dhuāñ phailā ga.ī

vo ghaTā phir is taraf se lauT kar guzrī nahīñ

sūkhī dhartī ko jo dariyā kā pata batlā ga.ī

zindagī marg-e-talab tark-e-talab 'aḳhtar' na thī

phir bhī apne tāne-bāne meñ mujhe uljhā ga.ī

yak-ba-yak mausam ki tabdili qayamat Dha gai

ruk ke sustana tha jab mujh ko kaDi dhup aa gai

din Dhale kis ko hai tajdid-e-safar ka hausla

aati jati rahguzar nahaq mujhe bahka gai

bu-e-gul mauj-e-hawa hai aur hawa kyunkar ruke

ab ke miTTi hi ki KHushbu mera ghar mahka gai

wo hawaen hain uDe jate hain pairahan yahan

ai urus-e-zist tu kyun ghar se bahar aa gai

ye hawa aai kahan se is se main waqif na tha

mere ghar mein jo charaghon ka dhuan phaila gai

wo ghaTa phir is taraf se lauT kar guzri nahin

sukhi dharti ko jo dariya ka pata batla gai

zindagi marg-e-talab tark-e-talab 'aKHtar' na thi

phir bhi apne tane-bane mein mujhe uljha gai