nahin aasan tark-e-ishq karna dil se gham jaana

nahīñ āsān tark-e-ishq karnā dil se ġham jaanā

bahut dushvār hai chaḌhte hue tūfāñ kā tham jaanā

ḳhabar kyā thī sitam kī parda-dārī yuuñ bhī hotī hai

bahut nādim huuñ jab se maqsad-e-josh-e-karam jaanā

lihāz-e-vaz.a-dārī meñ kabhī mumkin na ho shāyad

tumhārā do qadam aanā hamārā do qadam jaanā

hameñ andāz-e-rindāna kabhī girne nahīñ dete

jo sāġhar sāmne aayā usī ko jām-e-jam jaanā

mirā har sher 'aḳhtar' ik payām-e-zindagī niklā

mujhe duniyā ne āḳhir mālik-e-lauh-e-qalam jaanā

nahin aasan tark-e-ishq karna dil se gham jaana

bahut dushwar hai chaDhte hue tufan ka tham jaana

KHabar kya thi sitam ki parda-dari yun bhi hoti hai

bahut nadim hun jab se maqsad-e-josh-e-karam jaana

lihaz-e-waza-dari mein kabhi mumkin na ho shayad

tumhaara do qadam aana hamara do qadam jaana

hamein andaz-e-rindana kabhi girne nahin dete

jo saghar samne aaya usi ko jam-e-jam jaana

mera har sher 'aKHtar' ek payam-e-zindagi nikla

mujhe duniya ne aaKHir malik-e-lauh-e-qalam jaana