kachche makān jitne the bārish meñ bah ga.e

varna jo merā dukh thā vo dukh umr bhar kā thā

kachche makan jitne the barish mein bah gae

warna jo mera dukh tha wo dukh umr bhar ka tha

log nazroñ ko bhī paḌh lete haiñ

apnī āñkhoñ ko jhukā.e rakhnā

log nazron ko bhi paDh lete hain

apni aankhon ko jhukae rakhna

na jaane log Thaharte haiñ vaqt-e-shām kahāñ

hameñ to ghar meñ bhī rukne kā hauslā na huā

na jaane log Thaharte hain waqt-e-sham kahan

hamein to ghar mein bhi rukne ka hausla na hua

'aḳhtar' guzarte lamhoñ kī aahaT pe yuuñ na chauñk

is mātamī julūs meñ ik zindagī bhī hai

'aKHtar' guzarte lamhon ki aahaT pe yun na chaunk

is matami julus mein ek zindagi bhi hai

vo peḌ to nahīñ thā ki apnī jagah rahe

ham shāḳh to nahīñ the magar phir bhī kaT ga.e

wo peD to nahin tha ki apni jagah rahe

hum shaKH to nahin the magar phir bhi kaT gae