dil-E-Shikasta Harif-E-Shabab Ho Na Saka

Akhtar Shirani

dil-e-shikasta harif-e-shabab ho na saka

ye jam-e-zarf navaz-e-sharab ho na saka

kuchh aise rahm ke qabil the ibtida hi se ham

ki un se bhi sitam-e-be-hisab ho na saka

nazar na aaya kabhi shab ko un ka jalva-e-rukh

ye aftab kabhi mahtab ho na saka

nigah-e-faiz se mahrum bartari maalum

sitara chamka magar aftab ho na saka

hai jaam khali to phiki hai chandni kaisi

ye sail-e-nur sitam hai sharab ho na saka

ye mai chhalak ke bhi us husn ko pahunch na saki

ye phuul ghul ke bhi us ka shabab ho na saka

kisi ki shokh-navai ka hosh tha kis ko

main na-tavan to harif-e-khitab ho na saka

huun tere vasl se mayus is qadar goya

kabhi jahan men koi kamyab ho na saka

vo puchhte hain tire dil ki aarzu kya hai

ye khvab haae kabhi mera khvab ho na saka

talash-e-maani-e-hasti men falsafa na khirad

ye raaz aaj talak be-hijab ho na saka

sharab-e-ishq men aisi kashish si thi ‘akhtar’

ki laakh zabt kiya ijtinab ho na saka