Ghazal 207

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

May it be remembered: when the head of your lane was my dwelling,

and my eye gained its light from the dust of your door.

Truly, like the lily and rose, from the effect of pure companionship,

what was on my tongue was what was in your heart.

When the heart was relaying meanings from the sage of reason,

love was explaining in detail what was difficult for it.

Alas for the cruelty and tyranny in this snare-place —

alas for the burning and devotion that was in that assembly.

It was in my heart never to be without the friend —

what can one do? The effort of my heart was in vain.

Last night, in memory of companions, I went to the tavern —

I saw the wine-jar: blood in its heart and feet in the mud.

Much I searched to ask the cause of separation's pain —

the mufti of reason, on this question, was unreasonable.

Truly, the turquoise ring of Abu Ishaq

shone beautifully, but its fortune was short-lived.

Did you see, Hafez, that cackle of the strutting partridge?

It was heedless of the falcon of fate's talon.

یاد باد آن که سرِ کویِ توام منزل بود

دیده را روشنی از خاکِ درت حاصل بود

راست چون سوسن و گل از اثرِ صحبتِ پاک

بر زبان بود مرا آن‌چه تو را در دل بود

دل چو از پیرِ خِرَد نَقلِ مَعانی می‌کرد

عشق می‌گفت به شرح آن‌چه بر او مشکل بود

آه از آن جور و تَطاول که در این دامگَه است

آه از آن سوز و نیازی که در آن محفل بود

در دلم بود که بی‌دوست نباشم هرگز

چه توان کرد؟ که سعیِ من و دل باطل بود

دوش بر یادِ حریفان به خرابات شدم

خُمِ مِی دیدم، خون در دل و پا در گل بود

بس بِگَشتَم که بپرسم سببِ دردِ فِراق

مفتیِ عقل در این مسأله لایَعْقِل بود

راستی خاتمِ فیروزهٔ بواسحاقی

خوش درخشید ولی دولتِ مُستَعجِل بود

دیدی آن قهقههٔ کبکِ خِرامان حافظ؟

که ز سرپنجهٔ شاهینِ قضا غافل بود

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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