Poem #252
English Translation
Persian
If life remains, I'll reach the tavern door
and serve the drunkards there forevermore.
گر بُوَد عمر، به میخانه رَسَم بارِ دِگَر
بجز از خدمتِ رندان نکنم کارِ دِگَر
Happy the day I go with weeping eyes
to wash the tavern door with my own sighs.
خُرَّم آن روز که با دیدهٔ گریان بِرَوَم
تا زنم آب درِ میکده یک بارِ دگر
No wisdom dwells within this pious band
I'll take my jewel to another land.
معرفت نیست در این قوم خدا را سَبَبی
تا بَرَم گوهرِ خود را به خریدارِ دگر
If the Friend left and broke the ancient tie
God forbid I should chase another eye.
یار اگر رفت و حقِ صحبتِ دیرین نشناخت
حاشَ لِلَّه که رَوَم من ز پِیِ یارِ دگر
If Fortune's wheel turns in my favor round
with compass point, I'll find the treasure bound.
گر مساعد شَوَدَم دایرهٔ چرخِ کبود
هم به دست آورمش باز به پرگارِ دگر
My heart seeks safety, if they let it be
her playful glance and tress of mystery.
عافیت می‌طلبد خاطرم ار بگذارند
غمزهٔ شوخَش و آن طرهٔ طَرّارِ دگر
See how our secret, kept with care and pain
is sung to drums in every market lane.
راز سربستهٔ ما بین که به دستان گفتند
هر زمان با دف و نی بر سرِ بازارِ دگر
Each breath I groan, for Fate with cruel art
inflicts new wounds upon my wounded heart.
هر دم از درد بنالم که فلک هر ساعت
کُنَدَم قصدِ دلِ ریش به آزارِ دگر
I say again, Hafez is not alone
many have drowned in this desert unknown.
بازگویم نه در این واقعه حافظ تنهاست
غرقه گشتند در این بادیه بسیارِ دگر
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses determination and reflection. The verse about not going 'from pursuit of the friend, other' even if the friend went and didn't recognize 'the right of old conversation' is a powerful statement of loyalty. The observation that Hafez is not alone in this event and 'many others drowned in this desert' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of determination and reflection makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"My heart is leaving my hands—O wise-hearted ones, for God's sake! **** Alas, that the hidden secret will become manifest"
"O Sufi, come, for the cup is a clear mirror, **** so that you may see the clarity of the ruby-colored wine"
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"
"Don't seek obedience and covenant and righteousness from me, the drunk **** for I became famous for cup-measuring on the..."