harf-e-be-awaz se dahka hua

harf-e-be-āvāz se dahkā huā

ik diyā huuñ taaq meñ jaltā huā

is taraf dīvār ke bhī maiñ hī thā

us taraf bhī maiñ hī thā baiThā huā

āñganoñ meñ phuul the mahke hue

khiḌkiyoñ meñ chāñd thā Thahrā huā

kore kāġhaz par ajab tahrīr thī

paḌhte paḌhte maiñ jise andhā huā

kyā kahūñ dast-e-havā ke shobade

ret par ik naam thā likkhā huā

mere ḳhuuñ kī gardisheñ bhī baḌh ga.iiñ

us qabā kā rañg bhī gahrā huā

uñgliyoñ meñ us badan kā loch hai

rañg-o-ḳhushbū kā safar taazā huā

raat bhar jis kī sadā aatī rahī

sochtā huuñ vo parinda kyā huā

jāgtī āñkhoñ meñ 'aḳhtar' aks kyā

maiñ ne dekhā qāfilā jaatā huā

harf-e-be-awaz se dahka hua

ek diya hun taq mein jalta hua

is taraf diwar ke bhi main hi tha

us taraf bhi main hi tha baiTha hua

aanganon mein phul the mahke hue

khiDkiyon mein chand tha Thahra hua

kore kaghaz par ajab tahrir thi

paDhte paDhte main jise andha hua

kya kahun dast-e-hawa ke shobade

ret par ek nam tha likkha hua

mere KHun ki gardishen bhi baDh gain

us qaba ka rang bhi gahra hua

ungliyon mein us badan ka loch hai

rang-o-KHushbu ka safar taza hua

raat bhar jis ki sada aati rahi

sochta hun wo parinda kya hua

jagti aankhon mein 'aKHtar' aks kya

main ne dekha qafila jata hua