dil kā saarā ghor añdherā duur huā
kis kā hai ye nuur jo maiñ pur-nūr huā

zaḳhm risā phir zaḳhm-e-dil nāsūr huā
rafta rafta jaise bhāgalpūr huā

yuuñ to ham ne qisse likkhe rañgā-rañg
lekin ġham kā qissa hī mash.hūr huā

paanī paanī chīḳh rahā thā pyāsā dil
shahr-e-sitam kā kaisā ye dastūr huā

kaisā mulk-shor bapā hai ḳheme meñ
āñkheñ suunī dil kā shīsha chuur huā

ab ke mausam sadiyoñ kā tahzībī rañg
ḳhatm huā barbād huā kāfūr huā

shahr meñ tere kis se gilā phir karte ham
'aḳhtar' jab apnā hī saaya duur huā

dil ka sara ghor andhera dur hua
kis ka hai ye nur jo main pur-nur hua

zaKHm risa phir zaKHm-e-dil nasur hua
rafta rafta jaise bhagalpur hua

yun to hum ne qisse likkhe ranga-rang
lekin gham ka qissa hi mashhur hua

pani pani chiKH raha tha pyasa dil
shahr-e-sitam ka kaisa ye dastur hua

kaisa mulk-shor bapa hai KHeme mein
aankhen suni dil ka shisha chur hua

ab ke mausam sadiyon ka tahzibi rang
KHatm hua barbaad hua kafur hua

shahr mein tere kis se gila phir karte hum
'aKHtar' jab apna hi saya dur hua

Source: Book : Khayal aab (Pg. 86) Author : kalim Akhtar Publication : Bazm-e-magadh (2007) Edition : 2007