Ghazal 180

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O you whose pistachio-lip has laughed at the tale of sugar —

I am longing, for God's sake, give one sweet laugh.

The Tuba tree dare not boast of your stature —

I will pass from this tale, for the words grow too lofty.

If you wish that a river of blood not rise from your eye,

do not bind your heart to the fidelity of stream-companions.

Whether you display your beauty or cast reproach,

we are not believers in the self-satisfied sheikh.

When will she know of the turmoil of my state? —

she whose heart was never caught in this snare.

The market of desire is hot — where is that cypress-tall one?

That I may burn my life as wild-rue incense upon the fire of her face.

Where our beloved laughs with sweetness and breathes —

O pistachio, who are you? For God's sake, do not laugh at yourself.

Hafez, since you will not leave the glance of the Turkish beauties,

do you know where your place is? Khwarazm or Khojand.

ای پستهٔ تو خنده زده بر حدیثِ قند

مشتاقم از برای خدا یک شِکَر بخند

طوبی ز قامتِ تو نیارد که دَم زند

زین قصّه بگذرم که سخن می‌شود بلند

خواهی که برنخیزدت از دیده رودِ خون

دل در وفایِ صحبتِ رودِ کسان مَبَند

گر جلوه می‌نمایی و گر طعنه می‌زنی

ما نیستیم معتقدِ شیخِ خودپسند

ز آشفتگیِ حالِ من آگاه کِی شود؟

آن را که دل نگشت گرفتارِ این کمند

بازارِ شوق گرم شد آن سروْقد کجاست؟

تا جانِ خود بر آتش رویش کُنم سپند

جایی که یارِ ما به شِکَرخنده دَم زند

ای پسته کیستی تو، خدا را به خود مخند

حافظ چو تَرکِ غمزهٔ تُرکان نمی‌کنی

دانی کجاست جای تو؟ خوارزم یا خُجَند

Source: Ganjoor.net

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  • 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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