Poem #33
English Translation
Persian
Why should the seeker roam the world so wide
when the Friend's own quarter stands—what need for desert's side?
خلوت گُزیده را به تماشا چه حاجت است
چون کویِ دوست هست به صحرا چه حاجت است؟
O Soul, by the wish that binds you to the Divine
at least for one brief moment ask: what need is mine?
جانا به حاجتی که تو را هست با خدا
کآخِر دمی بپرس که ما را چه حاجت است
O Beauty's King! For God's sake, we have burned away
at least inquire: what does this beggar need today?
ای پادشاهِ حُسن خدا را بسوختیم
آخِر سؤال کن که گدا را چه حاجت است
We are the masters of all need yet have no voice for prayer
before the Generous One, what need to make a plea there?
اربابِ حاجتیم و زبانِ سؤال نیست
در حضرتِ کریم تمنا چه حاجت است؟
No story's needed if you mean to spill our blood
since all our robes are yours, why plunder in a flood?
محتاجِ قصه نیست گَرَت قصدِ خونِ ماست
چون رخت از آنِ توست، به یغما چه حاجت است؟
The Friend's bright mind’s the cup that shows the world entire
in such a space, what need to speak of our desire?
جامِ جهان‌نماست ضمیرِ منیرِ دوست
اظهارِ احتیاج خود آن‌جا چه حاجت است؟
Gone are the days I bore the sailor's debt and load
when jewel fills my palm, what need for ocean's road?
آن شد که بارِ منتِ مَلّاح بردَمی
گوهر چو دست داد، به دریا چه حاجت است؟
Go, Pretender! I have no work with you to do
my friends are gathered here—what need for foes like you?
ای مدعی برو که مرا با تو کار نیست
اَحباب حاضرند، به اعدا چه حاجت است؟
O beggar-lover, since the Friend's life-giving lip so fair
already knows your portion, what need for asking there?
ای عاشقِ گدا چو لبِ روح‌بخشِ یار
می‌داندت وظیفه، تقاضا چه حاجت است؟
Hafez, seal your work so your art alone shines through
what need to spar with claimants lining up in view?
حافظ! تو ختم کن که هنر خود عیان شود
با مدعی نزاع و محاکا چه حاجت است؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem uses the repeated question 'what need?' (che hajat ast) creating a philosophical meditation on desire and necessity. The theme of not needing to ask when the generous one knows your need is a profound spiritual observation. The verse about the 'world-showing cup' of the friend's mind is a beautiful mystical image. The poem's structure as a series of rhetorical questions creates a contemplative mood. The final verse's advice to let one's art speak for itself rather than arguing is wise and universally applicable. The poem's philosophical depth makes it engaging for readers interested in mysticism and wisdom literature.
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