Ghazal 401

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

When I become the dust of her path, she shakes her hem free of me —

and if I say: Turn your heart — she turns her face from me.

She shows her colored face to everyone like a rose —

and if I say: Cover it — she covers it from me.

I told my own eye: At last, look your fill at her —

it said: Do you want her to run a stream of blood from me?

She thirsts for my blood, and I for her lip — let us see:

will I take my desire from her, or will she take revenge from me?

If like Farhad my life departs in bitterness, I do not care —

many sweet tales will remain from me.

If like a candle I die before her, she will laugh at my grief —

and if I am hurt, her delicate nature will take offense from me.

Friends, I have given my life for her mouth — behold:

how she holds back from me for such a small thing.

Be patient, Hafez — for if the lesson of grief goes on like this,

love will read a fable from me in every corner.

چون شوم خاک رهش دامن بیفشاند ز من

ور بگویم دل بگردان رو بگرداند ز من

روی رنگین را به هر کس می‌نماید همچو گل

ور بگویم بازپوشان بازپوشاند ز من

چشم خود را گفتم آخر یک نظر سیرش ببین

گفت می‌خواهی مگر تا جوی خون راند ز من؟

او به خونم تشنه و من بر لبش تا چون شود

کام بستانم از او یا داد بستاند ز من

گر چو فرهادم به تلخی جان برآید باک نیست

بس حکایت‌های شیرین باز می‌ماند ز من

گر چو شمعش پیش میرم بر غمم خندان شود

ور برنجم خاطر نازک برنجاند ز من

دوستان جان داده‌ام بهر دهانش بنگرید

کو به چیزی مختصر چون باز می‌ماند ز من

صبر کن حافظ که گر زین دست باشد درس غم

عشق در هر گوشه‌ای افسانه‌ای خواند ز من

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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