Ghazal 23

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The image of your face is our companion on every road —

the fragrance of your hair is the bond of our awakened soul.

In spite of those who forbid love,

the beauty of your face is our eloquent proof.

See what the apple of your chin declares:

a thousand Josephs of Egypt have fallen into our well.

If our hand cannot reach your long tresses,

the fault lies with our scattered fortune and our short reach.

Tell the chamberlain of the private sanctuary:

such a one is among the corner-dwellers at our threshold’s dust.

Though veiled in form from our outer sight,

that one is always before the gaze of our contented heart.

If after a year Hafez knocks at the door, open it —

for years now, he has longed for our moonlike face.

خیالِ رویِ تو در هر طریق همرهِ ماست

نسیمِ مویِ تو، پیوندِ جانِ آگهِ ماست

به رَغمِ مدّعیانی که منعِ عشق کنند

جمالِ چهرهٔ تو، حجّتِ موجّهِ ماست

ببین که سیبِ زنخدانِ تو چه می‌گوید

هزار یوسفِ مصری، فتاده در چَهِ ماست

اگر به زلفِ درازِ تو، دستِ ما نرسد

گناهِ بختِ پریشان و دستِ کوتهِ ماست

به حاجبِ درِ خلوت‌سرایِ خاص بگو

فُلان ز گوشه‌نشینانِ خاکِ درگهِ ماست

به صورت از نظر ما اگر چه محجوب است

همیشه در نظرِ خاطرِ مرفّهِ ماست

اگر به سالی حافظ دری زَنَد، بگشای

که سال‌هاست که مشتاقِ رویِ چون مهِ ماست

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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