Ghazal 38

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Without the love of your face, no light remains in my day,

and of life, nothing is left to me but the darkest night.

At the time of parting from you, from so much weeping,

far from your face, no light remains in my eyes.

Your image was leaving my eyes and it said:

alas for this corner, which no longer flourishes.

Your union kept death far from my head —

but by the fortune of your absence, that distance remains no more.

The moment draws near when your rival will say:

far from your face, this weary, ailing one remains no more.

Patience is my remedy for separation from you, yet

how can one be patient when the means remain no more?

If in your absence my eyes pour flowing water,

say: let it pour the liver’s blood, for excuse remains no more.

Hafez, from grief, never turned from weeping to laughter —

one in mourning has no occasion for celebration.

بی مِهرِ رُخَت روزِ مرا نور نماندست

وز عمر، مرا جز شبِ دیجور نماندست

هنگامِ وداعِ تو ز بس گریه که کردم

دور از رخِ تو، چشمِ مرا نور نماندست

می‌رفت خیالِ تو ز چشمِ من و می‌گفت

هیهات از این گوشه که معمور نماندست

وصلِ تو اَجَل را ز سرم دور همی‌داشت

از دولتِ هجرِ تو کنون دور نماندست

نزدیک شد آن دم که رقیب تو بگوید

دور از رُخَت این خستهٔ رنجور نماندست

صبر است مرا چارهٔ هجرانِ تو لیکن

چون صبر توان کرد که مقدور نماندست؟

در هِجرِ تو گر چشمِ مرا آبِ روان است

گو خونِ جگر ریز که معذور نماندست

حافظ، ز غم از گریه نپرداخت به خنده

ماتم زده را داعیهٔ سور نماندست

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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