Ghazal 215

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

In the tavern lane, O Lord, at dawn, what commotion there was!

What an uproar of beauty, cupbearer, candle, and torch there was.

The story of love, which is beyond letter and sound,

was in uproar and tumult with the cry of drum and flute.

The debates that took place in that assembly of madness

were beyond the seminary and the quibbling of questions.

The heart, from the cupbearer's wink, was in gratitude — but

from fortune's unsupportiveness, there was a little complaint.

I made a reckoning: that sorcerous, drunken eye

had a thousand magicians like Samiri in its flock.

I said to her: Bestow a kiss upon my lip —

she laughed and said: When did you have such a transaction with me?

From my star, a fortunate glance is on the way — for last night

there was a face-off between the moon and my beloved's face.

The beloved's mouth, which held the cure for Hafez's pain —

alas, at the time of generosity, how narrow its patience was.

به کویِ میکده یا رب سحر چه مشغله بود؟

که جوشِ شاهد و ساقی و شمع و مشعله بود

حدیثِ عشق که از حرف و صوت مُستَغنیست

به نالهٔ دف و نی در خروش و ولوله بود

مباحثی که در آن مجلسِ جنون می‌رفت

وَرایِ مدرسه و قال و قیلِ مسأله بود

دل از کرشمهٔ ساقی به شُکر بود ولی

ز نامساعدیِ بختش اندکی گِلِه بود

قیاس کردم و آن چشمِ جادوانهٔ مست

هزار ساحر چون سامریش در گَله بود

بگفتمش به لبم بوسه‌ای حوالت کن

به خنده گفت کِی‌ات با من این معامله بود؟

ز اخترم نظری سعد در رَه است که دوش

میان ماه و رخِ یارِ من مُقابله بود

دهانِ یار که درمانِ دردِ حافظ داشت

فغان که وقتِ مُرُوَّت چه تنگ حوصله 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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