Ghazal 436

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

If that musk-lined beauty had written us a letter,

the sky would not have folded up the page of our existence.

Though separation brings the fruit of union in the end —

O farmer of the world, would that you had not sown this seed.

Forgiveness is cash for the one who has here

a companion like a houri and a palace like paradise.

In the tavern of love, one cannot live in luxury —

when there is no pillow of gold, let us make do with a brick.

Do not sell for the Garden of Iram and the pride of Shaddad

a flask of wine and a sweet-lipped one and the edge of the field.

How long the grief of this base world, O wise heart? —

it is a pity that beauty should become the lover of ugliness.

The stain of the cloak is the ruin of the world —

where is a wayfarer, a man of heart, of pure nature?

Why did Hafez let go of the tip of your tresses? —

fate was such — what could you do? You did not let go.

آن غالیه‌خط گر سوی ما نامه نوشتی

گردون ورق هستی ما درننوشتی

هر چند که هجران ثمر وصل برآرد

دهقان جهان! کاش که این تخم نکِشتی

آمرزش نقد است کسی را که در این جا

یاری‌ست چو حوری و سرایی چو بهشتی

در مصطبهٔ عشق تنعم نتوان کرد

چون بالش زر نیست، بسازیم به خشتی

مفروش به باغ ارم و نخوت شداد

یک شیشه می و نوش‌لبی و لبِ کِشتی

تا کی غم دنیای دنی ای دل دانا؟

حیف است ز خوبی که شود عاشق زشتی

آلودگی خرقه، خرابی جهان است

کو راهروی، اهلِ دلی، پاک‌سرشتی؟

از دست چرا هِشت سرِ زلف تو حافظ؟

تقدیر چنین بود، چه کردی که نهِشتی؟

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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