Poem #217
English Translation
Persian
O Muslims! I once had a heart to whom I'd speak and tell
whenever difficulties came or troubles on me fell.
مسلمانان مرا وقتی دلی بود
که با وی گفتمی گر مشکلی بود
When grief would pull me down into a whirlpool's wild descent
my heart's wise counsel gave me hope that shore was imminent.
به گِردابی چو می‌افتادم از غم
به تدبیرش امیدِ ساحلی بود
A sympathetic heart, a friend who saw what wisdom taught
the very refuge that each person of true heart has sought.
دلی همدرد و یاری مصلحت بین
که اِستِظهارِ هر اهلِ دلی بود
Lost from me in the beloved's quarter—Lord, what snares were laid
what a dwelling place that proved to be, what traps to have me stayed!
ز من ضایع شد اندر کویِ جانان
چه دامنگیر یا رب منزلی بود
No art exists unblemished by deprivation's mark, 'tis true
but was there ever a beggar more deprived than I, tell you?
هنر بی‌عیبِ حِرمان نیست لیکن
ز من محروم‌تر کِی سائلی بود؟
Have mercy on this scattered soul that begs at your threshold worn
for once, it held complete and perfect mastery, skills hard-won.
بر این جانِ پریشان رحمت آرید
که وقتی کاردانی کاملی بود
When love first taught me how to speak with eloquence refined
my tale became the centerpiece of every gathering's mind.
مرا تا عشق تعلیمِ سخن کرد
حدیثم نکتهٔ هر محفلی بود
Say not that Hafez understands the subtleties of art
for we have witnessed him and found him ignorant at heart.
مگو دیگر که حافظ نکته‌دان است
که ما دیدیم و محکم جاهلی بود
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses loss and humility. The verse about having 'a heart' once that Hafez could speak with 'if a difficulty was' is a poignant statement. The observation that Hafez's tale was 'the point of every assembly' until 'love taught word' is a striking statement. The final verse about not saying Hafez is 'point-knowing' because 'we saw and firmly, ignorant was' is a profound statement of humility. The poem's combination of loss and humility makes it engaging.
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