Ghazal 59

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

I have hope of kindness from the beloved’s court —

I have committed a wrong, and my hope is in His pardon.

I know He will pass over my offense, for though

He is angelic in form, yet He is angelic in nature too.

We wept so much that everyone who passed by,

seeing the current in our tears, said: What river is this?

That mouth is nothing — I see no trace of it —

that waist is a hair, and I do not know what hair it is.

I marvel at the image of His fancy — how has it not left

my eyes, when moment by moment they are washing and rinsing.

Without word or argument, your tress is killing the heart —

with your heart-stealing tress, who has the face for debate?

It has been a lifetime since I caught a scent from your tresses —

from that scent, the fragrance still lingers in my heart’s memory.

Hafez, your scattered state is bad, yet

for the scent of the beloved’s tresses, your scatteredness is good.

دارم امید عاطفتی از جناب دوست

کردم جنایتی و امیدم به عفو اوست

دانم که بُگذرد ز سرِ جرمِ من که او

گر چه پریوش است ولیکن فرشته‌خوست

چندان گریستیم که هر کس که برگذشت

در اشکِ ما چو دید روان گفت «کاین چه جوست؟»

هیچ است آن دهان و نبینم از او نشان

موی است آن میان و ندانم که آن چه موست

دارم عجب ز نقشِ خیالش که چون نرفت

از دیده‌ام که دَم به دَمش کار شُست و شوست

بی گفت و گوی زلفِ تو دل را همی کُشد

با زلف دلکَش تو که را روی گفت و گوست؟

عمری‌ست تا ز زلفِ تو بویی شنیده‌ام

زان بوی در مشامِ دلِ من هنوز بوست

حافظ بد است حالِ پریشانِ تو، ولی

بر بویِ زلفِ یار پریشانیَت نکوست

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?

Ask the Oracle

Hold a question in your heart — about love, a decision, or your path — and let Hafez speak to you directly.

Get Your Free Reading