Thahre paanī meñ nihāñ ek hasīñ ḳhvāb bhī hai
aas kī jhiil meñ aks-e-ruḳh-e-mahtāb bhī hai

dasht-e-tanhā.ī ke tapte hue vīrāne meñ
terī yādoñ kā hai ik peḌ jo shādāb bhī hai

paar karnā baḌā mushkil hai ki ye bahr-e-havas
kahīñ gahrā hai bahut aur kahīñ pāyāb bhī hai

is kī tasvīr meñ āñkhoñ meñ basā luuñ ki ye shai
laakh arzāñ sahī mere liye nāyāb bhī hai

yuuñ to lagtā hai samundar baḌā ḳhāmosh magar
us ke siine meñ nihāñ karb kā sailāb bhī hai

ye tamannāoñ kī sūkhī huī nadī 'aḳhtar'
apnī āñkhoñ meñ sajā.e hue ik ḳhvāb bhī hai

Thahre pani mein nihan ek hasin KHwab bhi hai
aas ki jhil mein aks-e-ruKH-e-mahtab bhi hai

dasht-e-tanhai ke tapte hue virane mein
teri yaadon ka hai ek peD jo shadab bhi hai

par karna baDa mushkil hai ki ye bahr-e-hawas
kahin gahra hai bahut aur kahin payab bhi hai

is ki taswir mein aankhon mein basa lun ki ye shai
lakh arzan sahi mere liye nayab bhi hai

yun to lagta hai samundar baDa KHamosh magar
us ke sine mein nihan karb ka sailab bhi hai

ye tamannaon ki sukhi hui nadi 'aKHtar'
apni aankhon mein sajae hue ek KHwab bhi hai

Source: Book : 1971 ki Muntakhab Shayri (Pg. 101) Author : Kumar Pashi, Prem Gopal Mittal Publication : P.K. Publishers, New Delhi (1972) Edition : 1972