wo jo diwar-e-ashnai thi

vo jo dīvār-e-āshnā.ī thī

apnī hī zaat kī ikaa.ī thī

maiñ sar-e-dasht-e-jāñ thā āvāra

aur ghar meñ bahār aa.ī thī

maile kapḌoñ kā apnā rañg bhī thā

phir bhī qismat meñ jag-hañsā.ī thī

ab to āñkhoñ meñ apnā chehra hai

kabhī shīshe se āshnā.ī thī

apnī hī zaat meñ thā maiñ mahfūz

aur phir ḳhud hī se laḌā.ī thī

apnī āvāz se bhī Dartā thā

haa.e kyā chiiz āshnā.ī thī

zindagī gard gard thī 'aḳhtar'

jaane luT kar kahāñ se aa.ī thī

wo jo diwar-e-ashnai thi

apni hi zat ki ikai thi

main sar-e-dasht-e-jaan tha aawara

aur ghar mein bahaar aai thi

maile kapDon ka apna rang bhi tha

phir bhi qismat mein jag-hansai thi

ab to aankhon mein apna chehra hai

kabhi shishe se aashnai thi

apni hi zat mein tha main mahfuz

aur phir KHud hi se laDai thi

apni aawaz se bhi Darta tha

hae kya chiz aashnai thi

zindagi gard gard thi 'aKHtar'

jaane luT kar kahan se aai thi