Ghazal 53

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

I am the one whose monastery is a corner of the tavern —

the Magian elder’s prayer is my morning litany.

If I lack the melody of the harp at dawn — no matter —

my song at dawn is the sigh that pleads my excuse.

I am free of kings and beggars, praise be to God —

a beggar at the beloved’s dusty door is my sovereignty.

My aim in mosque and tavern alike is union with you —

I have no other thought; God is my witness.

Unless by death’s blade I uproot my tent, otherwise

fleeing from fortune’s door is not my way.

Since the time I placed my face upon this threshold,

the summit of the sun’s throne is my resting-place.

Although sin was not our choice, O Hafez,

stay on the path of courtesy — say: the sin is mine.

منم که گوشهٔ میخانه، خانقاهِ من است

دعایِ پیرِ مُغان، وِرْدِ صُبْحگاهِ من است

گَرَم ترانهٔ چنگ صَبوح نیست چه باک

نوایِ من به سَحَر، آهِ عُذْرخواهِ من است

ز پادشاه و گِدا، فارِغم بِحَمْدِالله

گِدایِ خاکِ دَرِ دوست، پادشاهِ من است

غَرَض زِ مَسْجِد و مِیخانه‌ام، وِصالِ شماست

جُز این خیال ندارم، خُدا، گُواهِ من است

مَگَر به تیغِ اَجَل، خیمه بَرکَنَم ور نی

رَمیدن از دَرِ دولت، نه رَسْم و راهِ من است

از آن زَمان که بر این آسْتان نَهادم روی

فَرازِ مَسْنَدِ خورشید، تِکْیِه‌گاهِ من است

گُناه اگرچه نبود اختیارِ ما، «حافظ»!

تو در طریقِ اَدَب باش، گو گُناهِ من است

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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