Ghazal 211

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Last night she came with face ablaze —

some grief-stricken heart had been burned again, who knows where.

The custom of slaying lovers and the way of city-stirring

was a garment that had been sewn upon her form.

She knew the souls of lovers were the wild-rue of her face,

and the fire of her cheek had been kindled for this purpose.

Though she said she would kill me cruelly, I could see

that secretly she had a glance for this heartburnt one.

The infidelity of her tresses was ambushing the path of faith,

and that stony heart had lit a torch from her face to pursue it.

The heart brought much blood to its palm, but the eye spilled it —

God, God! — who wasted what another had saved?

Do not sell the friend for this world — for no profit was made

by the one who sold Joseph for counterfeit gold.

She spoke, and spoke well: Go burn your cloak, Hafez —

O Lord, from whom had she learned this art of detecting counterfeits?

دوش می‌آمد و رخساره برافروخته بود

تا کجا باز دلِ غمزده‌ای سوخته بود

رسم عاشق‌کُشی و شیوهٔ شهرآشوبی

جامه‌ای بود که بر قامتِ او دوخته بود

جانِ عُشّاق سپندِ رخِ خود می‌دانست

و آتشِ چهره بدین کار برافروخته بود

گر‌چه می‌گفت که زارَت بِکُشم می‌دیدم

که نهانش نظری با منِ دلسوخته بود

کفرِ زلفش رَهِ دین می‌زد و آن سنگین‌ دل

در پِی‌اش مشعلی از چهره برافروخته بود

دل بسی خون به کف آورد ولی دیده بریخت

الله الله، که تلف کرد و که اندوخته بود؟

یار مَفروش به دنیا که بسی سود نکرد

آن که یوسف به زَرِ ناسره بفروخته بود

گفت و خوش گفت برو خرقه بسوزان حافظ

یا رب این قلب‌شناسی ز که آموخته بود؟

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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