ruKHsat-e-raqs bhi hai panw mein zanjir bhi hai

ruḳhsat-e-raqs bhī hai paañv meñ zanjīr bhī hai

sar-e-manzar magar ik boltī tasvīr bhī hai

mere shānoñ pe farishtoñ kā bhī hai bār-e-girāñ

aur mire sāmne ik malbe kī ta.amīr bhī hai

zā.icha apnā jo dekhā hai to sar yaad aayā

jaise in hāthoñ pe kanda koī taqdīr bhī hai

ḳhvāhisheñ ḳhuun meñ utrī haiñ sahīfoñ kī tarah

in kitāboñ meñ tire haath kī tahrīr bhī hai

jis se milnā thā muqaddar vo dobāra na milā

aur imkāñ na thā jis kā vo ināñ-gīr bhī hai

sar-e-dīvār navishte bhī ka.ī dekhtā huuñ

pas-e-dīvār magar hasrat-e-tāmīr bhī hai

maiñ ye samjhā thā sulagtā huuñ faqat maiñ hī yahāñ

ab jo dekhā to ye ehsās hama-gīr bhī hai

yuuñ na dekho ki zamāna mutvajja ho jaa.e

ki is andāz-e-nazar meñ mirī tash.hīr bhī hai

maiñ ne jo ḳhvāb abhī dekhā nahīñ hai 'aḳhtar'

merā har ḳhvāb usī ḳhvāb kī ta.abīr bhī hai

ruKHsat-e-raqs bhi hai panw mein zanjir bhi hai

sar-e-manzar magar ek bolti taswir bhi hai

mere shanon pe farishton ka bhi hai bar-e-giran

aur mere samne ek malbe ki tamir bhi hai

zaicha apna jo dekha hai to sar yaad aaya

jaise in hathon pe kanda koi taqdir bhi hai

KHwahishen KHun mein utri hain sahifon ki tarah

in kitabon mein tere hath ki tahrir bhi hai

jis se milna tha muqaddar wo dobara na mila

aur imkan na tha jis ka wo inan-gir bhi hai

sar-e-diwar nawishte bhi kai dekhta hun

pas-e-diwar magar hasrat-e-tamir bhi hai

main ye samjha tha sulagta hun faqat main hi yahan

ab jo dekha to ye ehsas hama-gir bhi hai

yun na dekho ki zamana mutwajja ho jae

ki is andaz-e-nazar mein meri tashhir bhi hai

main ne jo KHwab abhi dekha nahin hai 'aKHtar'

mera har KHwab usi KHwab ki tabir bhi hai