Ghazal 324

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Though a knot from her tresses has fallen into my affairs,

still I keep my eye open for her generosity.

Do not attribute the redness of my face to joy — for like a cup,

the blood of my heart reflects outward from my cheek.

The minstrel's curtain will take me out of my own hand —

alas, if in this curtain I have no admittance.

I have become the watchman of the heart's sanctuary every night, all night —

so that in this veil nothing passes except the thought of her.

I am that sorcerer-poet who by the spell of words

from the reed of my pen rains all sugar and candy.

The eye of fortune fell asleep to her tale —

where is a breeze of grace to wake me?

Since I cannot bear to see you in passing, O beloved —

with whom shall I speak, that they may speak a word to my beloved?

Last night she was saying that Hafez is all show and pretense —

but with whom do I have commerce except the dust of her door?

گرچه افتاد ز زلفش گرهی در کارم

همچُنان چشمِ گشاد از کَرَمَش می‌دارم

به طَرَب حمل مَکُن سرخیِ رویم که چو جام

خونِ دل عکس برون می‌دهد از رخسارم

پردهٔ مطربم از دست برون خواهد برد

آه اگر زان که در این پرده نباشد بارم

پاسبانِ حرمِ دل شده‌ام شب همه شب

تا در این پرده جز اندیشه او نَگْذارم

منم آن شاعرِ ساحر که به افسونِ سخن

از نِیِ کِلک، همه قند و شِکَر می‌بارم

دیدهٔ بخت به افسانهٔ او شد در خواب

کو نسیمی ز عنایت که کُنَد بیدارم؟

چون تو را در گذر ای یار نمی‌یارم دید

با که گویم که بگوید سخنی با یارم؟

دوش می‌گفت که حافظ همه روی است و ریا

بجز از خاکِ درش با که بُوَد بازارم؟

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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