Ghazal 25

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The red rose has bloomed and the nightingale is drunk —

a call to revelry, O wine-worshipping Sufis!

The foundation of repentance that seemed firm as stone —

see how a crystal cup has shattered it so strangely.

Bring wine, for in the court of divine indifference,

what matter the watchman or the sultan, the sober or the drunk?

From this two-doored inn, since departure is certain,

what matter if the porch of life stands high or low?

The station of pleasure is not reached without pain —

yes, by the decree of trial they sealed the covenant of eternity.

Do not vex your conscience with being and nothingness — be glad,

for nothingness is the end of every perfection that exists.

The glory of Asaf, the wind-horse, and the speech of birds —

all went with the wind, and the master gained nothing from them.

Do not fly too high on wings, for the far-shot arrow

rose in the air a moment, but fell back to the dust.

What thanks can the tongue of your pen speak, O Hafez,

that your words are passed from hand to hand?

شکفته شد گل حَمرا و گشت بلبل مست

صَلایِ سرخوشی، ای صوفیانِ باده پرست

اساسِ توبه که در محکمی چو سنگ نُمود

ببین که جامِ زُجاجی چه طُرفه‌اش بشکست

بیار باده که در بارگاهِ استغنا

چه پاسبان و چه سلطان، چه هوشیار و چه مست

از این رِباط دو در، چون ضرورت است رَحیل

رِواق و طاقِ معیشت، چه سربلند و چه پست

مقام عیش میسر نمی‌شود بی‌رنج

بلی به حکمِ بلا بسته‌اند عهدِ الست

به هست و نیست مَرنجان ضمیر و خوش می‌باش

که نیستی‌ست سرانجامِ هر کمال که هست

شکوهِ آصِفی و اسبِ باد و منطقِ طیر

به باد رفت و از او خواجه هیچ طَرف نبست

به بال و پَر مرو از ره که تیرِ پرتابی

هوا گرفت زمانی، ولی به خاک نشست

زبانِ کِلکِ تو حافظ چه شُکرِ آن گوید

که گفتهٔ سخنت می‌برند دست به دست

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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