qisse meri aashufta-nawai ke bahut the

qisse mirī āshufta-navā.ī ke bahut the

charche tirī añgusht-numā.ī ke bahut the

duniyā kī talab hī se na fursat huī varna

armān tire dar kī gadā.ī ke bahut the

kuchh dil hī na maa.il huā is raah pe varna

sāmān to jannat kī kamā.ī ke bahut the

kal shab mire kirdār pe tanqīd kī shab thī

kirdār meñ pahlū bhī burā.ī ke bahut the

āzār kī ḳhaslat bhī thī logoñ meñ numāyāñ

kuchh shauq bhī is dil ko bhalā.ī ke bahut the

ab saath nahīñ hai bhī to shikva nahīñ 'aḳhtar'

ehsān bhī mujh par mire bhaa.ī ke bahut the

qisse meri aashufta-nawai ke bahut the

charche teri angusht-numai ke bahut the

duniya ki talab hi se na fursat hui warna

arman tere dar ki gadai ke bahut the

kuchh dil hi na mail hua is rah pe warna

saman to jannat ki kamai ke bahut the

kal shab mere kirdar pe tanqid ki shab thi

kirdar mein pahlu bhi burai ke bahut the

aazar ki KHaslat bhi thi logon mein numayan

kuchh shauq bhi is dil ko bhalai ke bahut the

ab sath nahin hai bhi to shikwa nahin 'aKHtar'

ehsan bhi mujh par mere bhai ke bahut the