saat-e-marg-e-musalsal har nafas bhaari hui

sā.at-e-marg-e-musalsal har nafas bhārī huī

phir fazā-e-jāñ pe sadiyoñ kī thakan taarī huī

ḳhānamāñ-barbād yādeñ dastakeñ dene lagīñ

jab kabhī apnī taraf baḌhne kī tayyārī huī

us ne apne aap ko ham par munavvar kar diyā

phir bhī chashm-e-shauq meñ raushan na chingārī huī

ab kisī kī bhī nazar uThtī nahīñ sū-e-falak

ham zamīñ vāloñ ko āḳhir kaisī bīmārī huī

vaqt kī daldal meñ ḳhush-āhañg lamhe dhañs ga.e

yā'nī har sā'at sukūt-e-shab kī hai maarī huī

is tarah be-kaif mausam to kabhī guzrā na thā

phuul hī barse na to ab ke sharar-bārī huī

ab dayār-e-dil meñ 'aḳhtar' hū kā 'ālam bhī nahīñ

kis aziyyat-nāk mausam se mirī yaarī huī

saat-e-marg-e-musalsal har nafas bhaari hui

phir faza-e-jaan pe sadiyon ki thakan tari hui

KHanaman-barbaad yaaden dastaken dene lagin

jab kabhi apni taraf baDhne ki tayyari hui

us ne apne aap ko hum par munawwar kar diya

phir bhi chashm-e-shauq mein raushan na chingari hui

ab kisi ki bhi nazar uThti nahin su-e-falak

hum zamin walon ko aaKHir kaisi bimari hui

waqt ki daldal mein KHush-ahang lamhe dhans gae

ya'ni har sa'at sukut-e-shab ki hai mari hui

is tarah be-kaif mausam to kabhi guzra na tha

phul hi barse na to ab ke sharar-bari hui

ab dayar-e-dil mein 'aKHtar' hu ka 'alam bhi nahin

kis aziyyat-nak mausam se meri yari hui