Poem #297
English Translation
Persian
The pen's poor tongue has not the strength to tell of separation's pain
Or I would write a tale for you to make the sorrow plain.
زبانِ خامه ندارد سرِ بیان فِراق
وگرنه شرح دهم با تو داستانِ فِراق
Alas, my life has reached its end in hope of union sweet
Yet separation's weary time is still far from complete.
دریغ مدت عمرم که بر امیدِ وصال
به سر رسید و نیامد به سر زمانِ فِراق
The head I once held high with pride against the turning sky
Now on the threshold of your loss, in humble dust must lie.
سری که بر سرِ گردون به فخر می‌سودم
به راستان که نهادم، بر آستانِ فِراق
How can I spread my wings again in union's happy air
My heart-bird's feathers all are shed in the nest of despair.
چگونه باز کنم بال در هوایِ وصال
که ریخت مرغِ دلم پَر در آشیانِ فِراق
What remedy is left for me? In grief's dark, swirling sea
My patience-boat is wrecked and lost by separation's decree.
کنون چه چاره که در بَحرِ غم به گردابی فُتاد
زورقِ صبرم ز بادبانِ فِراق
The ship of life will soon be drowned, sinking beneath the wave
Of longing for you, in this sea that is a shoreless grave.
بسی نَمانْد که کَشتیِ عمر غرقه شود
ز موجِ شوقِ تو در بحرِ بی‌کرانِ فِراق
If I could grasp Separation's form, I'd slay it with my hand
May darkness fall upon its day, and ruin on its land!
اگر به دستِ من اُفتَد فِراق را بِکُشَم
که روزِ هجر سیَه باد و خان و مانِ فِراق
My only friends are phantoms now, and patience wears away
Companion to the fire of loss, and separation's gray.
رفیقِ خِیلِ خیالیم و همنشینِ شَکیب
قَرینِ آتشِ هجران و هم قِرانِ فِراق
How can I claim your union, Love, with this poor soul of mine
My body is Fate's agent now, my heart Separation's shrine.
چگونه دَعویِ وصلت کُنَم به جان؟ که شده‌ست
تنم وکیلِ قَضا و دلم ضمانِ فِراق
My heart is roasted like kebab in longing's burning fire
Far from the Friend, I drink heart's blood, the food of my desire.
ز سوزِ شوق دلم شد کباب دور از یار
مدام خونِ جگر می‌خورم ز خوانِ فِراق
When Fortune saw my head enslaved in Love's enchanting chain
It tied the neck of patience fast with the rope of separation's pain.
فلک چو دید سرم را اسیرِ چَنبَرِ عشق
بِبَست گردنِ صبرم به ریسمانِ فِراق
If Hafez walked this path of love with longing's eager feet
No one would give the reins of life to separation's deceit.
به پایِ شوق گر این رَه به سر شدی حافظ
به دستِ هجر ندادی کسی عِنانِ فِراق
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most profound poems about separation. The repeated structure of 'separation' creates a powerful sense of loss. The verse about the 'ship of life' being about to 'become drowned from the wave of your longing in the sea without shore of separation' is a striking image. The observation that Hafez's 'body became the agent of predestination and heart the guarantee of separation' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of suffering and emotional expression makes it extremely engaging.
Related Poems
"O Cupbearer, circulate the cup and pass it, for love seemed easy at first but difficulties arose."
"If that Turk of Shiraz takes my heart in hand, **** I will give Samarkand and Bukhara for his Hindu mole."
"To the courtiers of the sultan, who will deliver this prayer? **** That in gratitude for kingship, do not drive the begg..."
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"