Poem #270
English Translation
Persian
I have borne a pain of love—do not ask
I have tasted a poison of separation—do not ask.
دردِ عشقی کشیده‌ام که مَپُرس
زهرِ هجری چشیده‌ام که مَپُرس
I wandered the world and in the end
I chose a Beloved—do not ask.
گشته‌ام در جهان و آخرِ کار
دلبری برگزیده‌ام که مپرس
My tears flow so freely in longing for the dust of Her door
do not ask.
آن چنان در هوایِ خاکِ دَرَش می‌رود
آبِ دیده‌ام که مپرس
With my own ears, I heard words from Her mouth last night
do not ask.
من به گوشِ خود از دهانش دوش
سخنانی شنیده‌ام که مپرس
Why do you bite your lip at me?
I have bitten a ruby lip—do not ask.
سویِ من لب چه می‌گَزی که مگوی
لبِ لعلی گَزیده‌ام که مپرس
Without You, in my beggar's hut
I have endured sufferings—do not ask.
بی تو در کلبهٔ گداییِ خویش
رنج‌هایی کشیده‌ام که مپرس
Like Hafez, a stranger on the path of love
I have reached a station—do not ask.
همچو حافظ غریب در رَهِ عشق
به مَقامی رسیده‌ام که مپرس
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most famous and powerful poems. The repeated structure of 'that don't ask' creates a powerful sense of unspoken suffering and experience. The verse about being 'a stranger in the path of love' and reaching 'a station' is a profound statement. The observation that Hafez bore 'the pain of love' and tasted 'the poison of separation' without asking is a striking statement. The poem's combination of suffering and wisdom makes it extremely engaging.
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