Poem #132
English Translation
Persian
With the clear water of wine, the mystic washed his soul
when at dawn he visited the tavern's bowl.
به آبِ روشنِ می عارفی طهارت کرد
عَلَی الصَّباح، که میخانه را زیارت کرد
No sooner did the sun's golden goblet sink from sight
than the Eid crescent signaled the cup to shine bright.
همین که ساغرِ زَرّینِ خور، نهان گردید
هِلال عید به دورِ قدح اشارت کرد
Blessed is the prayer of one who, in pain and grief
purifies with tears and heart's blood for relief.
خوشا نماز و نیازِ کسی که از سرِ درد
به آبِ دیده و خونِ جگر طهارت کرد
The master Imam, so fond of prayers long and deep
washed his cloak in the vine's blood, a secret to keep.
امام خواجه، که بودش سرِ نمازِ دراز
به خونِ دخترِ رَز خرقه را قِصارت کرد
My heart bought turmoil from her tress with its very life
what profit it saw in this trade of endless strife?
دلم ز حلقهٔ زلفش به جان خرید آشوب
چه سود دید ندانم که این تجارت کرد
If the Imam of the assembly seeks me today
tell him Hafez with wine has washed his sins away.
اگر امامِ جماعت طلب کند امروز
خبر دهید که حافظ به می طهارت کرد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains statements about purification and religious practice. The verse about a mystic doing purification 'with the clear water of wine' is a striking statement. The observation that prayer done 'with the water of the eye and the blood of the liver' is 'pleasant' is a powerful image. The verse about the imam shortening his cloak 'with the blood of the daughter of the rose' is a striking image. The poem's combination of religious and mystical themes makes it engaging.
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