Ghazal 55

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The curve of your tress is a snare for faith and unbelief —

and this is but one small sample of its workings.

Your beauty is a miracle of loveliness, yet

the tale of your glance is manifest sorcery.

From your bold eye, who can escape with life?

For it is always behind the bow, lying in ambush.

A hundred blessings upon those dark eyes,

which in slaying lovers are magic-creating.

What a wondrous science is the science of love’s astronomy —

whose eighth sphere is the seventh earth.

Do you suppose the slanderer escaped with his life?

His reckoning lies with the Noble Scribes.

Hafez, do not feel safe from the cunning of her tresses,

for they stole the heart, and now are after the faith.

خَمِ زلفِ تو دامِ کفر و دین است

ز کارستانِ او یک شمه این است

جمالت مُعجِزِ حُسن است لیکن

حدیثِ غمزه‌ات سحرِ مبین است

ز چشمِ شوخِ تو جان کی توان برد؟

که دایم با کمان اندر کمین است

بر آن چشمِ سیه صد آفرین باد

که در عاشق کُشی سِحرآفرین است

عجب عِلمیست عِلم هیئت عشق

که چرخِ هشتمش، هفتم زمین است

تو پنداری که بدگو رفت و جان برد؟

حسابش با کرام الکاتبین است

مشو حافظ ز کیدِ زلفش ایمن

که دل برد و کنون در بندِ دین 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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