Poem #220
English Translation
Persian
From my eyes the heart's blood flows down upon my weary face
what can I say of all that flows there from that endless, tear-stained place?
از دیده خونِ دل همه بر رویِ ما رَوَد
بر رویِ ما ز دیده چه گویم چه‌ها رَوَد
Within my chest I've hidden a breath, a secret desire kept
if it should scatter to the wind, my heart with it has swept.
ما در درونِ سینه هوایی نهفته‌ایم
بر باد اگر رَوَد دلِ ما زان هوا رود
The eastern sun will rend its robes in jealousy and pain
if my love-nurturing moon should walk abroad in robe's domain.
خورشیدِ خاوری کُنَد از رَشک جامه چاک
گر ماهِ مِهرپرورِ من در قبا رود
We've laid our face upon the dust that marks the beloved's way
it's permitted if familiar friends should pass across our face today.
بر خاکِ راهِ یار نهادیم رویِ خویش
بر رویِ ما رواست اگر آشنا رود
My eye's tears are a flood, and all who pass thereby must feel
even those with hearts of stone shall be moved from where they kneel.
سیل است آبِ دیده و هر کس که بگذرد
گر خود دلش ز سنگ بُوَد هم ز جا رود
Day and night my tears bring adventure from each stranger passing near
who walks along the head of my beloved's quarter here.
ما را به آبِ دیده شب و روز ماجراست
زان رهگذر که بر سرِ کویش چرا رود
Hafez walks to the tavern quarter with a heart sincere and true
as pure as monastery Sufis when to prayer they go anew.
حافظ به کوی میکده دایم به صدقِ دل
چون صوفیانِ صومعه دار از صفا رود
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses intense emotion and longing. The verse about 'the blood of the heart' flowing 'on the face' from 'the eye' is a striking image. The observation that if 'the moon, love-nurturing' goes 'in the cloak', 'the sun, eastern' may tear its garment 'from jealousy' is a beautiful image. The poem's combination of intense emotion and imagery makes it engaging.
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