Ghazal 86

From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Cupbearer, come — for the beloved has lifted the veil from her face —

the work of the lamp of the recluses has caught fire again.

That candle who had hidden her head has lit her face once more,

and this aged world has recaptured youth.

Love gave such a coquettish charm that the mufti lost his way,

and the friend showed such grace that the enemy took heed.

Beware of those sweet, heart-beguiling phrases —

one would say your pistachio-lip has spoken in sugar.

The weight of grief that had wearied our spirit —

God sent one of Jesus-breath, and took it away.

Every tall cypress that boasted beauty over sun and moon —

when you appeared, turned to something else.

From this tale the seven domes of the heavens are full of echoes —

see how the short-sighted one has kept the story brief.

Hafez, from whom did you learn this speech? For fortune

made an amulet of your verse and framed it in gold.

ساقی بیا که یار ز رخ پرده برگرفت

کارِ چراغ خلوتیان باز درگرفت

آن شمعِ سرگرفته دگر چهره برفروخت

وین پیرِ سال‌خورده جوانی ز سر گرفت

آن عشوه داد عشق که مفتی ز ره برفت

وان لطف کرد دوست که دشمن حذر گرفت

زنهار از آن عبارتِ شیرینِ دل‌فریب

گویی که پستهٔ تو سخن در شکر گرفت

بارِ غمی که خاطرِ ما خسته کرده بود

عیسی‌دمی خدا بفرستاد و برگرفت

هر سروقد که بر مَه و خور حسن می‌فروخت

چون تو درآمدی پیِ کاری دگر گرفت

زین قصه هفت گنبدِ افلاک پرصداست

کوته‌نظر ببین که سخن مختصر گرفت

حافظ تو این سخن ز که آموختی؟ که بخت

تعویذ کرد شعرِ تو را و به زر گرفت

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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