Poem #138
English Translation
Persian
Remember the one who, departing, forgot our name
who left our grief-stricken heart without a farewell's flame.
یاد باد آن که ز ما وقتِ سفر یاد نکرد
به وداعی دلِ غمدیدهٔ ما شاد نکرد
That fortunate youth, favored by grace and fate
why did he not free this old servant from his state?
آن جوانبخت که می‌زد رقمِ خیر و قبول
بندهٔ پیر ندانم ز چه آزاد نکرد
I'll wash my paper robe in tears of blood and pain
for Heaven led me not to Justice's domain.
کاغذین جامه به خوناب بشویم
که فلک رهنمونیم به پایِ عَلَمِ داد نکرد
My heart, hoping its voice might reach your ear
cried to the mountain as Farhad never could hear.
دل به امّیدِ صدایی که مگر در تو رسد
ناله‌ها کرد در این کوه که فرهاد نکرد
Until the dawn bird took its shadow from the glade
it built no nest in the box-tree's tress-like shade.
سایه تا بازگرفتی ز چمن مرغِ سحر
آشیان در شِکَنِ طُرِّهٔ شمشاد نکرد
Perhaps the morning breeze learned its speed from you
for never did the wind such agile motion do.
شاید ار پیکِ صبا، از تو بیاموزد کار
زان که چالاکتر از این حرکت باد نکرد
Creation's painter drew not the wish's line
for those who praised not this beauty divine.
کِلْکِ مَشّاطِهٔ صُنعَش نَکِشد نقشِ مراد
هر که اقرار بدین حُسنِ خداداد نکرد
Musician, change the mode, play the Iraq strain
for by this path the Friend left, and memory was slain.
مطربا پرده بگردان و بزن راهِ عراق
که بدین راه بشد یار و ز ما یاد نکرد
Hafez's song echoes Iraqi's ghazal tone
who heard this burning path and did not weep and moan?
غزلیاتِ عراقیست سرودِ حافظ
که شنید این رهِ دلسوز که فریاد نکرد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses longing for the traveled friend. The verse about the heart doing 'lamentations in this mountain, that Farhad did not do' is a striking reference to the story of Farhad and Shirin. The observation that the heavens did not guide Hafez 'to the foot of the banner of justice' is a poignant statement. The reference to Iraqi (a famous Persian poet) adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of cultural references and emotional expression makes it engaging.
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