Poem #40
English Translation
Persian
Thanks be to God—the tavern door stands open wide
so I may stand in need before that threshold, humbled tide.
اَلْمِنَّةُ لِلَّه که درِ میکده، باز است
زان رو که مرا بر در او، رویِ نیاز است
The wine-jars seethe and roar with rapture in their breast
the wine they hold is Truth itself, not allegory guessed.
خُم‌ها، همه در جوش و خُروش‌اند ز مَسْتی
وان می که در آن‌جاست، حقیقت، نه مَجاز است
From Her pours drunken pride and all-exalting state
from us sheer helplessness, frail need, and humble fate.
از وی، همه، مَسْتی و غُرور است و تَکَبُّر
وز ما همه بیچارگی و عَجْز و نیاز است
The secret never voiced to others nor let slip
we tell the Friend alone—she guards the sacred script.
رازی که بَرِ غیر نگفتیم و نگوییم
با دوست بگوییم که او مَحْرَمِ راز است
The tale of curling tresses, ring on ring of grace
can never be made brief—this story spans all space.
شَرْحِ شِکَنِ زُلْفِ خَم اندر خَمِ جانان
کوتَه نَتَوان کرد که این قِصِّه، دراز است
It bears what weighed on Majnun's heart and Layla's curling braid
the face of Mahmud bright and Ayaz's foot displayed.
بارِ دِلِ مَجْنون و خَمِ طُرِّهٔ لیلی
رُخسارهٔ مَحمود و کَفِ پایِ اَیاز است
I stitch my falcon-eyes closed to the world entire
save for the moment they behold your beauty's fire.
بردوخته‌ام دیده چو باز از همه عالَم
تا دیدهٔ من بر رُخِ زیبایِ تو، باز است
Within your quarter's Kaaba all who come to pray
turn toward your brow's own qibla and stand in prayer's array.
در کعبهٔ کویِ تو، هر آن‌کس که بیاید
از قبلهٔ ابرویِ تو در عِیْنِ نماز است
O friends assembled, ask the candle of poor Hafez' pain
it knows the burning and the melt within the flame's domain.
ای مجلسیان، سوزِ دلِ «حافظِ» مسکین
از شمع بپرسید که در سوز و گداز است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem opens with Arabic 'Al-hamdu lillah' (Thanks be to God), creating a celebratory tone. The verse 'that wine which is there is truth, not metaphor' is a powerful statement about the reality of mystical experience. The reference to Majnun and Layla (famous lovers in Arabic/Persian literature) and Mahmud and Ayaz (legendary king and beloved) adds cultural depth. The image of sewing up the eye like a falcon to focus only on the beloved is striking and accessible. The fusion of Islamic ritual (Kaaba, qibla, prayer) with love imagery is thought-provoking. The final verse's comparison to a burning candle is universal and memorable.
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