Ghazal 122

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Whoever guards the side of the people of God —

God guards him from calamity in every state.

I will not speak the friend's story except in the friend's presence,

for a familiar soul guards a familiar's words.

O heart, conduct your livelihood so that if your foot should slip,

an angel guards you with both hands of prayer.

If you wish the beloved not to break her vow,

guard the end of the thread, so that she too guards it.

O breeze, if you find my heart upon that head of tresses,

with kindness tell it: guard your place.

When I said: Guard my heart — what did she say?

What can a servant do? God guards it.

My head and gold and heart and soul — all sacrifice for that friend

who guards the right of companionship, of love, and of fidelity.

Where is the dust of your passing, that Hafez may guard it

as a memento of the morning breeze?

هر آن‌که جانِبِ اَهْلِ خُدا نگه دارد

خُداش در همه حال از بَلا نگه دارد

حَدیثِ دوست نگویم مَگَر به حَضْرَتِ دوست

که آشنا، سُخَنِ آشنا نگه دارد

دلا، مَعاش چُنان کُن که گر بِلَغْزَد پای

فرشته‌ات به دو دستِ دُعا نگه دارد

گَرَت هَواست که مَعشوق نَگْسَلد پِیمان

نگاه دار سرِ رشته تا نگه دارد

صَبا بر آن سَرِ زُلْف اَر دِلِ مرا بینی

ز رویِ لُطْف بگویش که جا نگه دارد

چو گفتمش که دلم را نگاه دار، چه گفت؟

ز دَسْتِ بَنده چه خیزد؟ خُدا نگه دارد

سَر و زَر و دل و جانم، فَدایِ آن یاری

که حَقِّ صُحْبَتِ مِهْر و وَفا نگه دارد

غُبارِ راهگذارت کجاست تا «حافِظ»

به یادگارِ نَسیمِ صَبا نگه دارد

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

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  • 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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