Poem #42
English Translation
Persian
To tell you my heart's state—a longing burns within
to hear my heart's true news—another wish I spin.
حالِ دل با تو گفتنم، هوس است
خبرِ دل شِنُفتَنَم، هوس است
See my vain hope! To not hide from rivals what I feel
this open tale I tell is yet another wish so real.
طَمَعِ خام بین که قِصهٔ فاش
از رقیبان نَهُفتَنَم، هوس است
To sleep with you through such a precious, holy night
till dawn breaks through—this is my soul's delight.
شبِ قدری چنین عزیزِ شریف
با تو تا روز خُفتنم، هوس است
Alas! To string so delicate a pearl in darkness deep
this wish to thread the night—a longing that won't sleep.
وه که دُردانه‌ای چنین نازک
در شبِ تار سُفتنم، هوس است
O Breeze of dawn, help me tonight, I pray
to bloom at morning's hour—this wish leads the way.
ای صبا امشبَم مَدَد فرمای
که سحرگه شکفتنم، هوس است
For honor's sake, to sweep your threshold's dust with my eyelash's tip
this longing holds me in its grip.
از برای شَرَف به نوُکِ مژه
خاکِ راهِ تو رفتنم، هوس است
Like Hafez, to speak verses wild and free
despite all critics—this remains my soul's decree.
همچو حافظ به رَغمِ مُدَعیان
شعرِ رندانه گفتنم، هوس است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 6/10. This poem uses the repeated phrase 'haste ast' (it is a desire) creating a rhythmic, wishful quality. The theme of expressing desires and longings is universal. The reference to the Night of Power adds spiritual context. The image of stringing a delicate pearl in the dark night is beautiful but somewhat conventional. The poem's structure as a series of desires is accessible, though it may feel repetitive to Western readers. The final verse's defense of libertine poetry is clear but less striking than in other poems.