Poem #233
English Translation
Persian
I'll never cease my seeking till my heart's desire is won
either my body reach the beloved, or my soul from body run.
دست از طلب ندارم تا کامِ من برآید
یا تن رسد به جانان یا جان ز تن برآید
Open my tomb after I die and look with careful gaze
from the fire burning in my heart, smoke from my shroud will blaze.
بگشای تربتم را بعد از وفات و بنگر
کز آتش درونم دود از کفن برآید
Show your face so people become bewildered and amazed
open your lips and cries from men and women will be raised.
بنمای رخ که خَلقی والِه شَوَند و حیران
بگشای لب که فریاد از مرد و زن برآید
My soul's upon my lips, regret fills all my heart entire
from her sweet lips I've taken nothing ere my soul expire.
جان بر لب است و حسرت در دل که از لبانش
نگرفته هیچ کامی جان از بدن برآید
Regret for her mouth has brought my soul to narrow straits and pain
when do the poor ever gain desires from that sweet domain?
از حسرتِ دهانش آمد به تنگ جانم
خود کامِ تنگدستان کی زان دهن برآید
They say her praises echo through love's company with grace
wherever Hafez's name is spoken in assembly's space.
گویند ذکرِ خیرش در خیلِ عشقبازان
هر جا که نامِ حافظ در انجمن برآید
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most intense and profound poems. The verse about not removing the hand from seeking 'until the desire may come' and either 'the body may reach to the beloved or the soul may come from the body' is a powerful statement of determination. The observation that 'from the fire, inside' smoke may come 'from the shroud' after death is a striking image. The poem's combination of intensity and mystical insight makes it extremely engaging.
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