harif-e-dastan karna paḌa hai
zamin ko asman karna paḌa hai
nikal kar aa gae hain jangalon men
makan ko la-makan karna paḌa hai
sava neze pe suraj aa gaya tha
lahu ko saeban karna paḌa hai
bahut tarik thiin hasti ki rahen
badan ko kahkashan karna paḌa hai
kise ma.alum lams un ungliyon ka
hava ko raz-dan karna paḌa hai
vo shayad koi sachchi baat kah de
use phir bad-guman karna paḌa hai
main apne saare patte faash karta
magar aisa kahan karna paḌa hai
safar asan nahin haraf o qalam ka
hamen tai haft-ḳhvan karna paḌa hai
tha jis se iḳhtilaf-e-rae mumkin
usi ko mehrban karna paḌa hai
saf-e-a.ada men apne bazuon ko
mujhe ‘aḳhtar’ kaman karna paḌa hai