Ghazal 413

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The down of the beloved's cheek, from which the moon took its light —

is a lovely ring, but there is no way out from it.

The brow of the friend is the prayer-niche corner of fortune —

there rub your face and ask your need from it.

O you who drink the dregs of the assembly of Jam! — keep your breast pure —

for the world-showing cup is a mirror — beware of it.

The conduct of the people of the monastery made me a wine-worshipper —

see this smoke — my letter was blackened from it.

Let the sultan of grief do whatever he can —

I have taken refuge with the wine-sellers from him.

Cupbearer, hold the lamp of wine in the path of the sun —

tell it to kindle the torch of dawn from it.

Sprinkle water on the ledger of our deeds —

perhaps one can erase the letters of sin from it.

Hafez, who tuned the minstrel's instrument of love —

may the arena of this feast never be empty of him.

Is it possible — in this fantasy that the city's beggar has —

that one day the king will remember him?

خط عذار یار که بگرفت ماه از او

خوش حلقه‌ای‌ست لیک به دَر نیست راه از او

ابروی دوست گوشهٔ محراب دولت است

آن جا بمال چهره و حاجت بخواه از او

ای جرعه‌نوش مجلس جم! سینه پاک دار

کآیینه‌ای‌ست جام جهان‌بین که آه از او

کردار اهل صومعه‌ام کرد مِی‌پرست

این دود بین که نامهٔ من شد سیاه از او

سلطان غم هر آن چه تواند بگو بکن

من بُرده‌ام به باده‌فروشان پناه از او

ساقی چراغ می به ره آفتاب دار

گو بر فروز مشعلهٔ صبحگاه از او

آبی به روزنامهٔ اعمال ما فشان

باشد توان سترد حروف گناه از او

حافظ که ساز مطرب عشاق ساز کرد

خالی مباد عرصهٔ این بزمگاه از او

آیا در این خیال که دارد گدای شهر

روزی بود که یاد کند پادشاه از او؟

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

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  • 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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