aankhon mein jo ek KHwab sa hai

āñkhoñ meñ jo ek ḳhvāb sā hai

aalam kyā kyā dikhā rahā hai

aalam ik intizār kā hai

khultā nahīñ intizār kyā hai

qatra qatra jo pī chukā hai

dariyā dariyā pukārtā hai

kyā kah ga.ī zindagī kī aahaT

jo hai kisī soch meñ khaḌā hai

ai mauj-e-nasīm-e-sub.h-gāhī

har ġhunche kā dil dhaḌak rahā hai

tum aur zarā qarīb aa jaao

ḳhanjar rag-e-jāñ tak aa gayā hai

hai dīdanī rañg-e-rū-e-qātil

har zaḳhm javāb māñgtā hai

ai dasht-e-junūñ gavāh rahnā

kāñTe haiñ aur ik barahna-pā hai

āsār achchhe nahīñ shab-e-hijr

dil ko kuchh qarār sā hai

lafzoñ ko zabān mil rahī hai

shāyad 'aḳhtar' ġhazal-sarā hai

aankhon mein jo ek KHwab sa hai

aalam kya kya dikha raha hai

aalam ek intizar ka hai

khulta nahin intizar kya hai

qatra qatra jo pi chuka hai

dariya dariya pukarta hai

kya kah gai zindagi ki aahaT

jo hai kisi soch mein khaDa hai

ai mauj-e-nasim-e-subh-gahi

har ghunche ka dil dhaDak raha hai

tum aur zara qarib aa jao

KHanjar rag-e-jaan tak aa gaya hai

hai didani rang-e-ru-e-qatil

har zaKHm jawab mangta hai

ai dasht-e-junun gawah rahna

kanTe hain aur ek barahna-pa hai

aasar achchhe nahin shab-e-hijr

dil ko kuchh qarar sa hai

lafzon ko zaban mil rahi hai

shayad 'aKHtar' ghazal-sara hai