pahle to soch ke dozaKH mein jalata hai mujhe

pahle to soch ke dozaḳh meñ jalātā hai mujhe

phir vo shīshe meñ mirā chehra dikhātā hai mujhe

shāyad apnā hī ta.āqub hai mujhe sadiyoñ se

shāyad apnā hī tasavvur liye jaatā hai mujhe

bāhar āvāzoñ kā ik mela lagā hai dekho

koī andar se magar toḌtā jaatā hai mujhe

yahī lamha hai ki maiñ gir ke shikasta ho jā.ūñ

sūrat-e-shīsha vo hāthoñ meñ uThātā hai mujhe

jism minjumla-e-āshob-e-qayāmat Thahrā

dekhūñ kaun aa ke qayāmat se bachātā hai mujhe

zalzala aayā to dīvāroñ meñ dab jā.ūñgā

log bhī kahte haiñ ye ghar bhī Darātā hai mujhe

kitnā zālim hai mirī zaat kā paikar 'aḳhtar'

apnī hī saañs kī suulī pe chaḌhātā hai mujhe

pahle to soch ke dozaKH mein jalata hai mujhe

phir wo shishe mein mera chehra dikhata hai mujhe

shayad apna hi taaqub hai mujhe sadiyon se

shayad apna hi tasawwur liye jata hai mujhe

bahar aawazon ka ek mela laga hai dekho

koi andar se magar toDta jata hai mujhe

yahi lamha hai ki main gir ke shikasta ho jaun

surat-e-shisha wo hathon mein uThata hai mujhe

jism minjumla-e-ashob-e-qayamat Thahra

dekhun kaun aa ke qayamat se bachata hai mujhe

zalzala aaya to diwaron mein dab jaunga

log bhi kahte hain ye ghar bhi Daraata hai mujhe

kitna zalim hai meri zat ka paikar 'aKHtar'

apni hi sans ki suli pe chaDhata hai mujhe