Ghazal 117

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

My heart, in the orbit of your face, has no need of the garden,

for like the cypress it is rooted, and like the tulip, it bears a brand.

My head will not bow before anyone's arching brow,

for the heart of recluses has no need of the world.

I resent the violet for boasting of her tresses —

see how this dark, worthless thing puts on airs!

Stroll through the garden and behold the tulip at the throne of the rose —

it resembles a king's cup-companion, holding a goblet in hand.

A dark night and a desert — where can one arrive?

Unless the candle of your face lights a lamp upon my path.

I and the candle of dawn — it is fitting that we weep together,

for we burned, and our idol takes no notice of us.

It is right that like a winter cloud I weep upon this garden —

the nightingale's nest of joy, look — a crow now holds it.

The heart of ailing Hafez has a lesson of love to study,

for it holds no thought of spectacle, no desire for the garden.

دل ما به دور رویت ز چمن فَراغ دارد

که چو سرو پایبند است و چو لاله داغ دارد

سرِ ما فرونیآید به کمانِ ابروی کَس

که درون گوشه‌گیران، ز جهان فَراغ دارد

ز بنفشه تاب دارم که ز زلفِ او زند دم

تو سیاهِ کم‌بها بین، که چه در دِماغ دارد‌!

به چمن خرام و بنگر برِ تختِ گل که لاله

به ندیمِ شاه مانَد که به کف ایاغ دارد

شبِ ظلمت و بیابان، به کجا توان رسیدن؟

مگر آن که شمعِ روی‌ات به رَهَم چراغ دارد

من و شمعِ صبح‌گاهی سِزَد ار به هم بِگرییم

که بسوختیم و از ما بتِ ما فراغ دارد

سِزَدم چو ابرِ بهمن که بر این چمن بِگریَم

طرب آشیانِ بلبل، بنگر که زاغ دارد

سرِ درسِ عشق دارد دلِ دردمند حافظ

که نه خاطرِ تماشا نه هوای باغ دارد

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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