Poem #364
English Translation
Persian
We are the drunkards, honest and free, who have given our hearts away
companions of love's secret, and of the wine-cup's sway.
ما بی‌غمانِ مست دل از دست داده‌ایم
هم‌رازِ عشق و هم‌نفسِ جامِ باده‌ایم
They drew the bow of censure against us, sharp and tight
until the Beloved's eyebrow solved our plight.
بر ما بسی کمانِ ملامت کشیده‌اند
تا کارِ خود ز ابرویِ جانان گشاده‌ایم
O Rose, you bear the morning's mark, a momentary stain
but we are Tulips, born with scars of everlasting pain.
ای گُل تو دوش داغِ صَبوحی کشیده‌ای
ما آن شقایقیم که با داغ زاده‌ایم
If the Magian Elder wearies of our broken vows, say
'Pour the wine! For at your door, our humble spirit bows.'
پیرِ مُغان ز توبهٔ ما گر ملول شد
گو باده صاف کن که به عذر ایستاده‌ایم
The work is Yours to finish, O Guide! Help us, we pray
for we admit our wandering, and have lost the way.
کار از تو می‌رود، مددی ای دلیلِ راه
کانصاف می‌دهیم و ز راه اوفتاده‌ایم
Look not at the wine and cup held in our hand like the tulip's bloom
see instead the scar of blood we bear, our heart's dark doom.
چون لاله، مِی مبین و قَدَح در میانِ کار
این داغ بین که بر دلِ خونین نهاده‌ایم
You ask, 'Hafez, what are these strange designs and colors that you weave?'
Mistake not the surface; on the simple tablet of truth we cleave.
گفتی که «حافظ این همه رنگ و خیال چیست؟!»
نقشِ غلط مَبین که همان لوحِ ساده‌ایم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses simplicity and devotion. The verse about being 'that poppy that was born with scar' while the rose 'bore the scar of morning-drinking last night' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez and his companions are 'the same simple tablet' despite all the 'color and image' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of simplicity and devotion makes it very 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"