Poem #461
English Translation
Persian
I wrote the tale of longing with a tear-stained hand
come, for without you, life is grief, a barren land.
کَتَبتُ قِصَّةَ شَوقی و مَدمَعی باکی
بیا که بی تو به جان آمدم ز غمناکی
Often I cried, consumed by love's fierce fire
'O Salma's home, where is the heart's desire?'
بسا که گفته‌ام از شوق با دو دیدهٔ خود
أیا مَنازِلَ سَلمیٰ فَأینَ سَلماکِ؟
A strange event, a mystery profound
I lie here slain, while my slayer makes the sound.
عجیب واقعه‌ای و غریب حادثه‌ای
أنَا اصْطَبَرتُ قَتیلاً و قاتِلی شاکی
Who dares to fault your hem, so pure and bright?
You are a dewdrop in the morning light.
که را رسد که کند عیب دامن پاکت؟
که همچو قطره که بر برگ گل چکد پاکی
Dust from your feet gave life to rose and vine
when God's own pen traced earth and water's line.
ز خاک پای تو داد آب، روی لاله و گل
چو کِلک صُنع رقم زد به آبی و خاکی
The morning breeze scatters scent—Rise, Saki, rise!
Bring wine as pure and golden as the skies.
صبا عبیرفشان گشت ساقیا برخیز
و هاتِ شَمسَةَ کَرْمٍ مُطَیَّبٍ زاکی
Cast off your sloth! Seize the day, be bold
the traveler's wealth is swiftness, not just gold.
دَعِ التَّکاسُلَ تَغْنَمْ فَقَد جَری مَثَلٌ
که زادِ راهروان چستی است و چالاکی
Without your face, no trace of me remains
my life reflects but what your life contains.
اثر نماند ز من، بی شمایلت، آری
أرَی مَآثِرَ مَحیایَ مِن مُحَیّاکِ
How can Hafez describe your beauty's grace?
Like God's creation, it transcends all space.
ز وصف حسن تو حافظ چگونه نطق زند؟
که همچو صنع خدایی ورای ادراکی
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This poem contains extensive Arabic phrases and expresses longing and devotion. The Arabic phrases add significant cultural depth. The verse about 'the earth of your foot giving water to the face of the tulip and rose when the pen of creation struck inscription to water and earth' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez asks 'how may speech strike from the description of your beauty' when 'like the creation of God, it is beyond comprehension' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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