Ghazal 391

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

What could be more pleasant than the thought of wine and the cup? —

let me see what the outcome will be in the end.

How long can one eat the grief of the heart? — for the days do not remain —

say: Let there be no heart and no days — what will happen?

Tell the bird of small patience: Eat your own grief — for upon it,

what pity will he have who lays the trap?

Drink wine, do not grieve, and do not listen to the imitator's advice —

what will the credit of common speech be?

It is best that the labor of your hand be spent on pleasure —

do you know what will become of it in the end, unfulfilled?

The elder of the tavern was reading a riddle last night

from the script of the cup: What will the conclusion be?

I led the heart of Hafez astray with drum and harp and ghazal —

what will the punishment of me, the ill-famed one, be?

خوش‌تر از فکر می و جام چه خواهد بودن؟

تا ببینم که سرانجام چه خواهد بودن

غم دل چند توان خورد؟ که ایام نماند

گو نه دل باش و نه ایام چه خواهد بودن؟

مرغ کم‌حوصله را گو غم خود خور که بر او

رحمِ آن کس که نهد دام چه خواهد بودن؟

باده خور غم مخور و پند مقلد منیوش

اعتبار سخن عام چه خواهد بودن؟

دست‌رنج تو همان به که شود صرف به کام

دانی آخر که به ناکام چه خواهد بودن؟

پیر میخانه همی‌خواند معمایی دوش

از خط جام که فرجام چه خواهد بودن

بردم از ره دل حافظ به دف و چنگ و غزل

تا جزای من بدنام چه خواهد بودن

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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