Ghazal 308

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O you whose face is like paradise and whose ruby lip is Salsabil —

your Salsabil has made soul and heart its free offering.

The green-clad ones of your cheek's down, around the lip,

are like ants around the Salsabil.

The arrow of your eye has in every corner

a hundred slain ones fallen, like me.

O Lord, this fire that is in my soul —

cool it, as you cooled the fire for Abraham.

I cannot find access, O friends —

though she has a beauty most beautiful.

Our foot is lame and the destination most distant —

our hand is short and the dates are on the palm.

Hafez, from the claw of the beauty's love,

has fallen like an ant at the foot of an elephant.

May the king of the world have immortality and glory and pride,

and everything of this kind.

ای رُخَت چون خُلد و لَعلَت سَلسَبیل

سَلسَبیلت کرده جان و دل سَبیل

سبزپوشانِ خَطَت بر گِردِ لب

همچو مورانند گِردِ سَلسَبیل

ناوَکِ چشمِ تو در هر گوشه‌ای

همچو من افتاده دارد صد قَتیل

یا رب این آتش که در جانِ من است

سرد کن زان سان که کردی بر خلیل

من نمی‌یابم مجال ای دوستان

گرچه دارد او جمالی بس جمیل

پای ما لَنگ است و منزل بس دراز

دست ما کوتاه و خرما بر نَخیل

حافظ از سرپنجهٔ عشقِ نگار

همچو مور افتاده شد در پایِ پیل

شاهِ عالم را بقا و عِزّ و ناز

باد و هر چیزی که باشد زین قَبیل

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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