Ghazal 337

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Why should I not be intent upon going to my homeland? —

why should I not be the dust of the head of the beloved's lane?

Since I cannot bear the grief of exile and foreignness,

I will go to my own city and be my own sovereign.

I will become one of the intimates of the pavilion of union —

I will be among the servants of my own lord.

Since the work of life is not clear — at least it is better

that on the Day of Reckoning I be before my own idol.

From the hand of heavy-sleeping fortune and disordered affairs,

if I have a complaint, I will be my own confidant.

Always my trade has been love and revelry —

now I will try harder and attend to my own work.

May it be that eternal grace becomes my guide, Hafez —

otherwise, till eternity I will be ashamed of myself.

چرا نه در پِیِ عزمِ دیارِ خود باشم

چرا نه خاکِ سرِ کویِ یارِ خود باشم

غمِ غریبی و غربت چو بر نمی‌تابم

به شهرِ خود رَوَم و شهریارِ خود باشم

ز مَحرمان سراپردهٔ وصال شَوَم

ز بندگانِ خداوندگارِ خود باشم

چو کار عمر نه پیداست باری آن اولی

که روزِ واقعه پیشِ نگارِ خود باشم

ز دستِ بختِ گران‌خواب و کارِ بی‌سامان

گَرَم بُوَد گِلِه‌ای، رازدارِ خود باشم

همیشه پیشهٔ من عاشقی و رندی بود

دگر بکوشم و مشغولِ کارِ خود باشم

بُوَد که لطفِ ازل رهنمون شود حافظ

وگرنه تا به ابد شرمسارِ خود باشم

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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