Poem #189
English Translation
Persian
If Fortune's bird returns to grace my waiting hand
The Friend may come, and union settle in the land.
طایرِ دولت اگر باز گذاری بِکُنَد
یار بازآید و با وصل قراری بِکُنَد
Though eyes no longer hold the pearls and gems of sight
They feed on blood and scatter tears in the night.
دیده را دَستگَهِ دُرّ و گهر گر چه نَمانْد
بخورَد خونی و تدبیرِ نثاری بکُند
I said last night: 'May her ruby lip my cure decree!'
The Unseen Voice replied: 'Yes, it shall surely be.'
دوش گفتم بکُند لعلِ لبش چارهٔ من
هاتفِ غیب ندا داد که «آری بکُند»
No one can speak to her of my sad tale and fear
Unless the morning breeze should whisper in her ear.
کس نیارَد برِ او دَم زنَد از قصّهٔ ما
مگرش بادِ صبا گوش، گذاری بکُند
I sent the falcon of my sight to hunt the prey
Hoping it might recall the partridge on its way.
داده‌ام بازِ نظر را به تَذَرْوی پرواز
بازخواند مگرش نقش و شکاری بکُند
The city is devoid of lovers; will it be
That one man leaves his self and sets the spirit free?
شهر خالی‌ست ز عُشّاق بُوَد کز طَرَفی
مردی از خویش برون آید و کاری بکند
Where is the generous one, who from his feast of glee
Gives one sip to the sad, to set the hangover free?
کو کریمی که ز بَزمِ طربش غم‌زده‌ای
جرعه‌ای دَرکِشد و دفعِ خُماری بکند
Or faith, or news of union, or the rival's death
Will Fate grant one of these before my final breath?
یا وفا، یا خبرِ وصلِ تو، یا مرگِ رقیب
بُوَد آیا که فلک زین دو سه کاری بکند؟
Hafez, if you remain at her door and abide
One day she'll pass your way, from just a corner side.
حافظا گر نَرَوی از دَرِ او، هم روزی
گذری بر سرت از گوشه کِناری بکند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses hope and longing. The verse about the voice from the unseen saying 'Yes' when Hafez asked if the beloved's ruby lip would be his remedy is a striking image. The observation that the city is 'empty from lovers' and asking if 'a man from himself' may come and do work is a poignant statement. The poem's combination of hope and emotional expression makes it engaging.
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