Ghazal 28

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

By the soul of the master, and by our ancient bond and true covenant —

my companion at dawn is prayer for your prosperity.

My tears, which outdo the flood of Noah,

could not wash the imprint of your love from the tablet of my heart.

Make a bargain and buy this broken heart,

for broken as it is, it is worth a hundred thousand whole.

The tongue of the ant grew bold before Asaf — and rightly so,

for the master lost the ring of Jam and did not search for it.

O heart, do not lose hope of the friend’s limitless grace —

since you boasted of love, give up your head, quick and nimble.

Strive for truth, and the sun will be born from your breath,

for from falsehood the first dawn was shamed and darkened.

Because of you, I have gone mad through mountain and plain, and still

you will not loosen in mercy the chain’s link.

Do not grieve, Hafez, and do not seek constancy from beauties —

what fault has the garden if this particular plant did not grow?

به جانِ خواجه و حقِ قدیم و عهدِ درست

که مونسِ دمِ صبحم، دعایِ دولتِ توست

سِرِشک من که ز طوفان نوح دست بَرَد

ز لوح سینه نیارَست نقشِ مهرِ تو شُست

بکن معامله‌ای، وین دل شکسته بخر

که با شکستگی ارزد به صد هزار درست

زبان مور به آصف دراز گشت و رواست

که خواجه خاتَمِ جم، یاوه کرد و باز نَجُست

دلا طَمَع مَبُر از لطفِ بی‌نهایتِ دوست

چو لافِ عشق زدی، سر بباز، چابک و چُست

به صدق کوش، که خورشید زایَد از نَفَسَت

که از دروغ سیه‌روی گشت صبحِ نخست

شدم ز دست تو شیدای کوه و دشت و هنوز

نمی‌کنی به ترحم، نِطاق سلسله سست

مرنج حافظ و از دلبر‌ان حِفاظ مجوی

گناه باغ چه باشد چو این گیاه نَرُست

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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