Ghazal 21

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

My heart and faith were lost, and the beloved rose in reproach,

saying: Do not sit with us, for peace has fled because of you.

Who has ever heard that one sat happily a moment at this feast

without rising in the end with regret?

If the candle boasted with its tongue of that laughing lip,

before your lovers it rose in passion, night after night.

In the garden, the spring breeze from beside the rose and cypress

rose in devotion to that cheek and stature.

Drunk you passed, and from the secluded angels of heaven

a tumult of resurrection rose to behold you.

Before your gait, the proud cypress could not lift its foot from shame —

that haughty one who rose in grace from its own height.

Hafez, cast off this cloak — perhaps you may save your soul,

for fire has risen from the cloak of pretense and false miracles.

دل و دینم شد و دلبر به ملامت برخاست

گفت با ما منشین، کز تو سلامت برخاست

که شنیدی که در این بزم، دمی خوش بنشست؟

که نه در آخرِ صحبت به ندامت برخاست

شمع اگر زان لبِ خندان به زبان، لافی زد

پیشِ عشاقِ تو شب‌ها به غَرامت برخاست

در چمن، بادِ بهاری ز کنار گل و سرو

به هواداریِ آن عارض و قامت برخاست

مست بگذشتی و از خلوتیانِ ملکوت

به تماشایِ تو آشوبِ قیامت برخاست

پیشِ رفتار تو پا برنگرفت از خِجلت

سروِ سرکش که به ناز از قد و قامت برخاست

حافظ این خرقه بینداز مگر جان ببری

کآتش از خرقهٔ سالوس و کرامت برخاست

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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