Poem #369
English Translation
Persian
We looked to friends for help and aid, in days when hope was new
alas, how wrong were all the thoughts and dreams that we pursue!
ما زِ یاران چَشمِ یاری داشتیم
خود غلط بود آنچه ما پنداشتیم
Waiting to see when friendship's tree would bear its fruit at last
we went and planted but a seed, and now the time is past.
تا درختِ دوستی بَر کِی دهد
حالیا رفتیم و تخمی کاشتیم
The Dervish way is silence, not to speak or to demand
else we had many tales to tell, for you to understand.
گفت‌و‌گو آیینِ درویشی نبود
ور نه با تو ماجراها داشتیم
Your eye held war and stratagem within its glancing light
we erred and thought it offered peace, and read the signs not right.
شیوهٔ چَشمت فریبِ جنگ داشت
ما غلط کردیم و صلح انگاشتیم
Your beauty's rose-bush did not bloom by its own power alone
we breathed our spirit into it, and made its glory known.
گُلبُنِ حُسنَت نه خود شد دلفُروز
ما دَمِ همت بر او بگماشتیم
The moments passed, and no one spoke a word of blame or grief
we kept the laws of courtesy, and held to our belief.
نکته‌ها رفت و شکایت کس نکرد
جانبِ حُرمَت فرو نگذاشتیم
You said, 'O Hafez, you gave your heart to us of your free will.'
We sent no tax-collector out, your spirit to instill.
گفت خود دادی به ما دل حافظا
ما مُحَصِّل بر کسی نَگماشتیم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses reflection and acceptance. The verse about having 'the eye of help from the friends' but 'ourselves wrong was that which we thought' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez and his companions 'planted a seed' even though 'the tree of friendship' may not give fruit is a profound statement. The poem's combination of reflection and acceptance makes it very engaging.
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