Ghazal 10

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Last night our master came from the mosque to the tavern —

what, O companions of the path, shall henceforth be our plan?

How shall we disciples turn our face toward the qibla, when

our master turns his face toward the house of the wine-seller?

In the tavern of the Way, we shall lodge together,

for thus it was decreed in pre-eternity, our destiny.

If reason knew how happy the heart is, bound by her tresses,

the wise would go mad in pursuit of our chain.

Your lovely face revealed to us a verse of grace —

since then, nothing but grace and beauty is our interpretation.

Will it ever pierce your stony heart, some night —

our fiery sigh, our breast’s burning at dawn?

The arrow of our sigh passes beyond the heavens — Hafez, be silent!

Have mercy on your own soul, and beware of our arrow.

دوش از مسجد سویِ میخانه آمد پیرِ ما

چیست یارانِ طریقت بعد از این تدبیرِ ما؟

ما مریدان روی سویِ قبله چون آریم؟ چون

روی سویِ خانهٔ خَمّار دارد پیرِ ما

در خراباتِ طریقت ما به هم منزل شویم

کاین‌چنین رفته‌ است در عهدِ ازل تقدیرِ ما

عقل اگر داند که دل در بندِ زلفش چون خوش است

عاقلان دیوانه گردند از پیِ زنجیرِ ما

رویِ خوبت آیتی از لطف بر ما کشف کرد

زان زمان جز لطف و خوبی نیست در تفسیرِ ما

با دلِ سنگینت آیا هیچ درگیرد شبی

آهِ آتشناک و سوزِ سینهٔ شبگیرِ ما؟

تیرِ آهِ ما ز گردون بگذرد حافظ خموش

رحم کن بر جانِ خود پرهیز کن از تیرِ ما

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

If this ghazal appeared as your reading today, consider:

  • Which line stirred something in you — comfort, longing, or unease?
  • What question were you holding when you arrived at this page?
  • What is this poem asking you to release or embrace?

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