Poem #325
English Translation
Persian
If I could grasp the dust beneath my Beloved's feet
I'd write it as a sacred line of light, pure and sweet.
گر دست دهد خاکِ کفِ پایِ نگارم
بر لوحِ بَصَر خطِّ غباری بنگارم
I drowned in longing for your embrace's sweet perfume
my only hope: these waves of tears might bring me to your room.
بر بویِ کنارِ تو شدم غرق و امید است
از موجِ سرشکم که رسانَد به کنارم
If I become the Beloved's moth seeking the soul's flame
like the candle I'll surrender life, breath by breath, without shame.
پروانهٔ او گر رسدم در طلبِ جان
چون شمع همان دَم به دَمی جان بِسِپارَم
Don't turn from my devotion today—instead recall that night
when grief compelled me to raise my hands in prayer's thrall.
امروز مَکَش سر ز وفایِ من و اندیش
زان شب که من از غم به دعا دست برآرم
Your two dark tresses brought all lovers sweet repose
yet stole away my peace—such is love's paradox, heaven knows.
زلفین سیاهِ تو به دلداریِ عُشّاق
دادند قراری و بِبُردَند قرارم
O wind, bring me a breeze from that wine's sacred source
its healing scent will cure my hangover's harsh course.
ای باد از آن باده نسیمی به من آور
کان بویِ شفابخش بُوَد دفعِ خُمارم
If my Beloved tests not the coin of my heart's core
I'll count my flowing tears as payment at love's door.
گر قلبِ دلم را نَنَهد دوست عیاری
من نقدِ روان در دَمَش از دیده شمارم
Don't shake your hem from me, this dust beneath your gate
no wind can sweep my dust from here after my fate.
دامن مَفِشان از منِ خاکی که پس از من
زین در نتواند که بَرَد باد غبارم
Hafez, those ruby lips are dear as life to me
a lifetime lives in that one moment when my soul flies free.
حافظ لبِ لَعلَش چو مرا جانِ عزیز است
عمری بُوَد آن لحظه که جان را به لب آرم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses intense devotion and longing. The verse about writing 'the line of dust on the tablet of sight' if given 'the earth of the palm of the foot' is a powerful statement. The observation that the 'two black tresses gave rest to the lovers' but 'took my rest' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of devotion and longing makes it very engaging.
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