Poem #382
English Translation
Persian
When you pass by this weary soul, recite a prayer
open your lips, for their ruby breath gives life to the dead.
فاتحه‌ای چو آمدی بر سر خسته‌ای بخوان
لب بگشا که می‌دهد لعل لبت به مرده جان
He who came to ask of me, read a prayer, and turned to go
tell him to pause a breath that my soul may follow in his wake.
آن که به پرسش آمد و فاتحه خواند و می‌رود
گو نفسی که روح را می‌کنم از پِیَش روان
O physician of the weary, look upon my tongue
the smoke of my chest and the burden of my heart lie heavy there.
ای که طبیبِ خسته‌ای، رویِ زبان من ببین
کـاین دم و دود سینه‌ام، بار دل است بر زبان
Though fever warmed my bones with passion and then fled
the fire of love, unlike the fever, will not leave my bones.
گرچه تب استخوان من کرد ز مهرْ گرم و رفت
همچو تبم نمی‌رود آتشِ مهر از استخوان
My heart has made its home in the fire of your dark mole
my eyes have grown weary and weak from gazing at yours.
حال دلم ز خالِ تو هست در آتشش وطن
چشمم از آن دو چشم تو خسته شده‌ست و ناتوان
Quench this heat with the water of my weeping eyes
and feel my pulse; it gives no sign of life.
بازنشانْ حرارتم ز آب دو دیده و ببین
نبض مرا که می‌دهد هیچ ز زندگی نشان
She who once filled my glass for pleasure's sake
why does she now take my vessel to the physician's door?
آن که مدام شیشه‌ام از پی عیش داده است
شیشه‌ام از چه می‌برد پیش طبیب هر زمان؟
Hafez, your verse has given me a draught from the Water of Life
leave the physician, come, and read the prescription of my cure.
حافظ از آب زندگی شعر تو داد شربتم
ترکِ طبیب کن بیا نسخهٔ شربتم بخوان
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains Arabic references and profound statements. The reference to Fatiha adds cultural depth. The verse about the 'ruby of your lip giving soul to the dead' when 'Fatiha is read on the head of the tired one' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'the fire of love does not go from the bone' even though 'fever made the bone hot and went' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of Arabic references and emotional expression makes it very engaging.