lamha lamha yahi sochun yahi dekha chahun

lamha lamha yahī sochūñ yahī dekhā chāhūñ

terī āñkhoñ meñ to bas apnā hī chehra chāhūñ

ye bhī kyā baat ki maiñ terī anā kī ḳhātir

terī qāmat se ziyāda tirā saayā chāhūñ

mujh se ulfat bhī nahīñ hai to na jaane phir kyuuñ

terī mahfil meñ faqat apnā hī charchā chāhūñ

vo to gūñgā hai magar mujh ko ye zid hai kaisī

apnī tārīf meñ kuchh us se bhī sunñā chāhūñ

saath dene se hue jaate haiñ qāsir alfāz

jaane kyā kyā maiñ tirī shaan meñ likhnā chāhūñ

maiñ to ik aisā musāfir huuñ jo thaktā hī nahīñ

apnī manzil se bhī aage koī jaada chāhūñ

dil se bādal kabhī uThte hī nahīñ haiñ 'aḳhtar'

kis liye āñkhoñ se bahtā huā dariyā chāhūñ

lamha lamha yahi sochun yahi dekha chahun

teri aankhon mein to bas apna hi chehra chahun

ye bhi kya baat ki main teri ana ki KHatir

teri qamat se ziyaada tera saya chahun

mujh se ulfat bhi nahin hai to na jaane phir kyun

teri mahfil mein faqat apna hi charcha chahun

wo to gunga hai magar mujh ko ye zid hai kaisi

apni tarif mein kuchh us se bhi sunna chahun

sath dene se hue jate hain qasir alfaz

jaane kya kya main teri shan mein likhna chahun

main to ek aisa musafir hun jo thakta hi nahin

apni manzil se bhi aage koi jada chahun

dil se baadal kabhi uThte hi nahin hain 'aKHtar'

kis liye aankhon se bahta hua dariya chahun