Ghazal 426

From the blood of my heart I wrote a letter to the friend —

"I have seen an age of separation from you — a resurrection."

I have from her absence a hundred signs in my eyes —

are these not the tears of my eyes? Is this not our sign?

However much I tried, there was no benefit from her —

he who tests the tested, upon him falls regret.

I asked a physician the state of the friend — he said:

"In her distance is torment; in her nearness, salvation."

I said: Blame will come if I circle around the friend —

by God, we have never seen a love without blame.

Hafez came seeking — a cup for the sweet life —

that he may taste from it a cup of grace.