Poem #51
English Translation
Persian
My Friend's ruby lip, blood-sated yet still thirsting deep
to glimpse her face, I'd give my soul—that's my work to keep.
لَعْلِ سیرابِ به‌خون‌تشنه، لَبِ یارِ من است
وَز پیِ دیدنِ او، دادنِ جان، کارِ من است
Shame on those dark eyes and lashes long and sweet
all who saw her steal hearts yet deny—they are my fleet.
شَرْم از آن چَشْمِ سیَه بادَش و مُژْگانِ دِراز
هرکه دِل‌بُرْدَنِ او دید و در اِنْکارِ من است
Caravan leader! Take not your goods to the town gate
that quarter's head is the highway where my Beloved stays late.
ساروان، رَخت به دَروازه مَبَر، کان سرِ کو
شاهراهی‌ست که مَنْزِلْگَهِ دِلْدارِ من است
I'm slave to my own fortune in this famine of the true
love for that drunken gypsy is the buyer seeing me through.
بَنده‌یِ طالعِ خویشم که در این قَحْطِ وَفا
عِشْقِ آن لولیِ سَرمَسْت، خَریدارِ من است
The Rose's perfume tray, her musk-scattering tress so fine
one whiff of my perfumer's grace in these sweet locks combine.
طَبْلِه‌یِ عِطْرِ گُل و زُلْفِ عَبیراَفْشانَش
فِیْضِ یک شِمِّه ز بویِ خوشِ عَطّارِ من است
Gardener! Don't drive me like the Breeze from your sweet door
your garden's water flows from my pomegranate tears' red pour.
باغْبان، همچو نسیمم ز دَرِ خویش مَران!
کآبِ گُلزارِ تو از اَشْکِ چو گُلنارِ من است
The Friend's lip prescribed sweet rosewater for my cure
her narcissus eye's the physician my sick heart endures.
شَرْبَتِ قَنْد و گُلاب از لَبِ یارَم فَرمود
نَرْگِسِ او که طَبیبِ دِلِ بیمارِ من است
The one who taught Hafez the art of ghazal's subtle way
my sweet-tongued friend of rare speech holds poetic sway.
آن‌که در طَرْزِ غزل، نُکته به «حافِظ» آموخت
یارِ شیرین‌سُخَنِ نادره‌گُفتارِ من است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains beautiful imagery about the beloved's features (ruby lip, black eye, long lashes). The reference to the 'intoxicated gypsy' adds exotic appeal. The verse about the gardener and tears like pomegranate flowers is a striking image. The poem's structure as praise of the beloved is conventional but well-executed. The final verse's acknowledgment of the beloved teaching Hafez poetry is a nice touch. The poem's romantic imagery and emotional intensity make it accessible.
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