Poem #322
English Translation
Persian
I drew your image in my eye's workshop with such care
yet never have I seen or heard of beauty that could compare.
خیالِ نقشِ تو در کارگاهِ دیده کشیدم
به صورتِ تو نگاری ندیدم و نشنیدم
Though swift as the northern wind I flew in my quest for you
I never reached the dust beneath your cypress stature true.
اگرچه در طلبت هم عِنانِ باد شِمالم
به گَردِ سروِ خرامانِ قامتت نرسیدم
I tied no hope to life's day in the dark night of your tresses
I severed all desire for your lips from my heart's longings and wishes.
امید در شبِ زلفت به روزِ عمر نبستم
طمع به دورِ دهانت ز کامِ دل بِبُریدم
How many tears I shed yearning for your sweet fountain's kiss
how many charms I bought from your wine-selling ruby lips!
به شوق چشمهٔ نوشت چه قطره‌ها که فشاندم
ز لَعلِ باده‌فروشت چه عشوه‌ها که خریدم
How many arrows your coquettish glances shot into my wounded heart
how many burdens of sorrow I bore upon your street's hard part!
ز غمزه بر دلِ ریشم چه تیرها که گشادی
ز غصه بر سرِ کویت چه بارها که کشیدم
O morning breeze, bring dust from the Beloved's street to me
for in that earth I sense the scent of my heart's bloody plea.
ز کویِ یار بیار ای نسیمِ صبح غباری
که بویِ خونِ دلِ ریش از آن تراب شنیدم
It was the fault of your dark eyes and graceful neck's allure
that like a wild gazelle I fled from humankind obscure.
گناهِ چشمِ سیاهِ تو بود و گردنِ دلخواه
که من چو آهویِ وحشی ز آدمی بِرَمیدم
A breeze from the Beloved's street passed over my head like a flower unfurled
and at its scent, I tore the veil from my blood-stained heart to the world.
چو غنچه بر سرم از کویِ او گذشت نسیمی
که پرده بر دلِ خونین به بویِ او بِدَریدَم
I swear by the dust beneath your feet and Hafez's seeing light
without your radiant face, no lamp of vision shines bright.
به خاکِ پایِ تو سوگند و نورِ دیدهٔ حافظ
که بی رخِ تو فروغ از چراغ دیده ندیدم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses intense longing and suffering. The verse about drawing 'the image of your design in the workshop of the eye' but not seeing 'a beauty to your form' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez 'cut desire to the circle of your mouth from the desire of the heart' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of longing and suffering makes it very engaging.
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