Poem #124
English Translation
Persian
She whose hyacinth tress burns fragrance in the air
yet treats her broken-hearted lovers with disdain and flare.
آن که از سُنبُلِ او، غالیه تابی دارد
باز با دلشدگان ناز و عِتابی دارد
You pass like wind above the slain heart you left dead
what can be done? Life rushes on ahead.
از سَرِ کُشتهٔ خود می‌گذری همچون باد
چه توان کرد؟ که عمر است و شتابی دارد
Her moon-face shines like sun behind her tress's veil
a sun that wears a cloud across its glowing trail.
ماهِ خورشید نُمایَش ز پسِ پردهٔ زلف
آفتابیست که در پیش سَحابی دارد
My eyes flood every corner with their tearful streams
to give your tall cypress fresher water for its dreams.
چشمِ من کرد به هر گوشه روان سیلِ سرشک
تا سَهی سَروِ تو را تازه‌تر آبی دارد
Your playful glance spills my blood through sweet mistake
may it find time for wiser thought for mercy's sake.
غمزهٔ شوخِ تو خونم به خطا می‌ریزد
فرصتش باد که خوش فکر صوابی دارد
If the Friend's lips hold Life's water pure and bright
then Khidr's share is but a mirage in the light.
آب حَیوان اگر این است که دارد لبِ دوست
روشن است این که خِضِر بهره سرابی دارد
Your drunken eye seeks my liver from my heart
a drunken Turk craves kebab's savory art.
چشمِ مخمورِ تو دارد ز دلم قصدِ جگر
تُرک مست است مگر میلِ کبابی دارد
My sick soul dares not question you at all
blessed the weary who receive the Friend's sweet call.
جانِ بیمارِ مرا نیست ز تو روی سؤال
ای خوش آن خسته که از دوست جوابی دارد
When will she glance at Hafez's weary heart so worn
her drunken eyes leave ruins in each corner torn.
کِی کُنَد سویِ دلِ خستهٔ حافظ نظری
چشمِ مستش که به هر گوشه خرابی دارد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses longing for the beloved. The verse about the beloved passing 'like the wind' from the 'head of your slain one' is a striking image. The observation that the beloved's face is 'a sun' that 'in front, a cloud has' is a beautiful image. The verse about Khidr having 'share of a mirage' while the friend's lip has 'the water of life' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of vivid imagery and emotional expression makes it engaging.
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