Ghazal 301

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O my wounded heart has a debt of salt to your lip —

keep the bond, for I am going — God be with you.

You are that pure jewel, that in the realm of the holy,

the good mention of you is the fruit of the angels' praise.

If you have any doubt of my sincerity, test me —

no one knows the assay of pure gold like the touchstone.

You had said: I will get drunk and give you two kisses —

the promise exceeded its limit, and we saw neither two nor one.

Open the smiling pistachio and scatter sugar —

do not cast the people into doubt about your mouth.

I will overturn the sky if it turns against my desire —

I am not one to suffer defeat from the wheel of heaven.

Since you will not let him near your Hafez — at least,

O rival, stand a step or two further from her.

ای دلِ ریشِ مرا با لبِ تو حقِّ نمک

حق نگه دار که من می‌روم، الله مَعَک

تویی آن گوهرِ پاکیزه که در عالمِ قدس

ذکرِ خیرِ تو بُوَد حاصلِ تسبیحِ مَلَک

در خلوصِ مَنَت ار هست شکی، تجربه کن

کس عیارِ زرِ خالص نشناسد چو محَک

گفته بودی که شَوَم مست و دو بوست بدهم

وعده از حد بشد و ما نه دو دیدیم و نه یَک

بگشا پستهٔ خندان و شِکَرریزی کن

خلق را از دهنِ خویش مَیَنداز به شک

چرخ برهم زنم ار غیرِ مرادم گردد

من نه آنم که زبونی کشَم از چرخِ فلک

چون بَرِ حافظِ خویشش نگذاری باری

ای رقیب از بَرِ او یک دو قدم دورتَرَک

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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