Poem #17
English Translation
Persian
My breast has burned with fire, for the Friend who is not here;
a fire was in this house, and burned the home so dear.
سینه از آتش دل، در غمِ جانانه بسوخت
آتشی بود در این خانه که کاشانه بسوخت
My body melted in the heat of being far apart;
the fire of the Beloved's face has scorched my very heart.
تنم از واسطهٔ دوریِ دلبر بگداخت
جانم از آتشِ مهرِ رخِ جانانه بسوخت
Behold my burning heart! My tears so hot and bright,
made the Candle burn like moths, in pity for my plight.
سوزِ دل بین که ز بس آتش اشکم،
دلِ شمع دوش بر من ز سرِ مِهر، چو پروانه بسوخت
'Tis no surprise if friends should feel the pain I bear;
but when I left myself, strangers wept in despair.
آشنایی نه غریب است که دلسوزِ من است
چون من از خویش برفتم، دلِ بیگانه بسوخت
The Tavern's water washed away my robe of pious pride;
the Tavern's fire burned the house where Reason used to hide.
خرقهٔ زهدِ مرا، آبِ خرابات ببُرد
خانهٔ عقلِ مرا، آتشِ میخانه بسوخت
My heart broke like a goblet, from the vows I made in vain;
like a tulip, without wine, my liver burns in pain.
چون پیاله دلم از توبه که کردم بشکست
همچو لاله، جگرم بی می و خُمخانه بسوخت
Cut short the tale, come back! For my eye's pupil bright,
took off its cloak in gratitude, and burned it in the night.
ماجرا کم کن و بازآ
که مرا مردمِ چشم خرقه از سر به درآورد و به شکرانه بسوخت
Leave fables now, O Hafez, and drink the wine so deep;
for we woke all the night, while the Candle burned in sleep.
ترک افسانه بگو حافظ و مِی نوش دمی
که نَخُفتیم شب و شمع به افسانه بسوخت
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This poem is a masterpiece of 'burning' imagery (fire, candle, moth, heart, liver). The 'liver' in Persian poetry is the seat of deep emotion and suffering, similar to the heart in Western tradition. The personification of the candle burning 'like a moth' (reversing the usual role) is a clever twist.
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