Ghazal 101

From the Divan of Hafez · 10 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

What is hidden wine and revelry? A work without foundation —

we cast ourselves among the rends, and whatever comes, comes.

Undo the knot from your heart and think not of the sky,

for the thought of no engineer has ever undone such a knot.

Do not marvel at the turning of fortune, for the wheel

remembers a thousand thousand tales like this.

Take the cup with proper courtesy, for its composition

is from the skulls of Jamshid, Bahman, and Qobad.

Who knows where Kavus and Kay have gone?

Who can say how Jamshid's throne was scattered to the wind?

From longing for those sweet lips I still see

tulips sprouting from the blood of Farhad's eyes.

Perhaps the tulip learned the world's faithlessness —

for since it was born and died, it never set the wine-cup down.

Come, come — let us be ruined by wine for a time,

perhaps we will find a treasure in this ruined abode.

They will not grant me leave to travel far —

the breeze of Mosalla and the water of Roknabad hold me here.

Do not take the cup, Hafez, except with the harp's lament,

for they have bound the joyful heart upon a silken string of delight.

شراب و عیش نهان چیست؟ کارِ بی‌بنیاد

زدیم بر صفِ رندان و هر چه بادا باد

گره ز دل بگشا وز سپهر یاد مکن

که فکر هیچ مهندس چنین گره نگشاد

ز انقلابِ زمانه عجب مدار که چرخ

از این فسانه هزاران هزار دارد یاد

قدح به شرطِ ادب گیر زان که ترکیبش

ز کاسهٔ سرِ جمشید و بهمن است و قباد

که آگه است که کاووس و کی کجا رفتند؟

که واقف است که چون رفت تخت جم، بر باد؟

ز حسرتِ لبِ شیرین هنوز می‌بینم

که لاله می‌دمد از خونِ دیدهٔ فرهاد

مگر که لاله بدانست بی‌وفاییِ دهر

که تا بزاد و بِشُد، جامِ می ز کف نَنَهاد

بیا بیا که زمانی ز می خراب شویم

مگر رسیم به گنجی در این خراب آباد

نمی‌دهند اجازت مرا به سِیرِ سفر

نسیمِ بادِ مُصَلّا و آبِ رُکن آباد

قدح مگیر چو حافظ مگر به نالهٔ چنگ

که بسته‌اند بر ابریشمِ طرب دلِ شاد

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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