Ghazal 260

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O proud cypress of beauty, how gracefully you walk in pride —

lovers have a hundred needs at every moment of your pride.

Blessed be your fair appearance, for in eternity

they cut the robe of coquetry to fit your cypress stature.

Whoever desires the scent of ambergris from your tresses —

tell him, like aloe-wood, to burn and bear it in the fire of passion.

The moth has heartache from the candle, but

without the candle of your cheek, my heart melts.

The Sufi who without you had repented of wine last night

broke his vow when he saw the tavern door open.

The rival's taunts do not diminish my value —

like gold, even if they take me to the mouth of the furnace.

The heart that found awareness from circling the Kaaba of your lane

from longing for that sanctuary, has no desire for Hejaz.

Every moment — what need for ablution with the blood of the eye? — since

without the arch of your brow, my prayer has no validity.

Like wine that went again atop the barrel, clapping,

so is Hafez, who last night heard a secret from the cupbearer's lip.

ای سروِ نازِ حُسن که خوش می‌روی به ناز

عُشّاق را به نازِ تو هر لحظه صد نیاز

فرخنده باد طلعتِ خوبت که در ازل

بُبْریده‌اند بر قدِ سَرْوَت قبایِ ناز

آن را که بویِ عَنبر زلفِ تو آرزوست

چون عود گو بر آتشِ سودا بسوز و ساز

پروانه را ز شمع بُوَد سوزِ دل، ولی

بی شمعِ عارضِ تو دلم را بُوَد گداز

صوفی که بی تو توبه ز مِی کرده بود، دوش

بِشْکَست عهد، چون درِ میخانه دید باز

از طعنهٔ رقیب نگردد عیارِ من

چون زر اگر برَند مرا درِ دهانِ گاز

دل کز طوافِ کعبهٔ کویت وقوف یافت

از شوقِ آن حریم ندارد سرِ حجاز

هر دَم به خونِ دیده چه حاجت وضو؟ چو نیست

بی طاقِ ابروی تو، نمازِ مرا جواز

چون باده باز بر سرِ خُم رفت کف‌زنان

حافظ که دوش از لبِ ساقی شنید راز

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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