Ghazal 217

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O Muslims! Once I had a heart

with which I could speak if any difficulty arose.

When I fell into a whirlpool of grief,

by its counsel there was hope of a shore.

A sympathetic heart and a prudent friend —

it was the support of every person of heart.

I lost it in the lane of the beloved —

O Lord, what a clinging dwelling it was.

Talent is not without the flaw of deprivation — but

was there ever a petitioner more deprived than I?

Have mercy on this scattered soul,

for once it was a capable and perfect one.

Since love taught me the art of speech,

my words became the point of every gathering.

Do not say any more that Hafez is subtle-minded —

for we have seen, and he was a confirmed fool.

مسلمانان مرا وقتی دلی بود

که با وی گفتمی گر مشکلی بود

به گِردابی چو می‌افتادم از غم

به تدبیرش امیدِ ساحلی بود

دلی همدرد و یاری مصلحت بین

که اِستِظهارِ هر اهلِ دلی بود

ز من ضایع شد اندر کویِ جانان

چه دامنگیر یا رب منزلی بود

هنر بی‌عیبِ حِرمان نیست لیکن

ز من محروم‌تر کِی سائلی بود؟

بر این جانِ پریشان رحمت آرید

که وقتی کاردانی کاملی بود

مرا تا عشق تعلیمِ سخن کرد

حدیثم نکتهٔ هر محفلی بود

مگو دیگر که حافظ نکته‌دان است

که ما دیدیم و محکم جاهلی 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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