Poem #59
English Translation
Persian
I hope for kindness from the Friend's exalted presence bright
I've sinned, yet hope her pardon will set all things right.
دارم امید عاطفتی از جناب دوست
کردم جنایتی و امیدم به عفو اوست
I know she'll overlook my crime with grace
though fairy-faced, her nature's angel-blessed in every trace.
دانم که بُگذرد ز سرِ جرمِ من که او
گر چه پریوش است ولیکن فرشته‌خوست
We wept so much that passers-by would stop and stare
seeing our flowing tears, they'd ask: 'What river's there?'
چندان گریستیم که هر کس که برگذشت
در اشکِ ما چو دید روان گفت «کاین چه جوست؟»
That mouth is naught—I see no trace of it at all
that waist's a slender hair—which hair I cannot call.
هیچ است آن دهان و نبینم از او نشان
موی است آن میان و ندانم که آن چه موست
I wonder at her image in my mind's deep well
though tears wash constantly, her vision will not dispel.
دارم عجب ز نقشِ خیالش که چون نرفت از دیده‌ام
که دَم به دَمش کار شُست و شوست
Your tress kills hearts without a word or plea
with such heart-stealing locks, who dares to speak or plea?
بی گفت و گوی زلفِ تو دل را همی کُشد
با زلف دلکَش تو که را روی گفت و گوست؟
A lifetime passed since first I caught your tress's scent
within my heart's deep chamber, still that fragrance's spent.
عمری‌ست تا ز زلفِ تو بویی شنیده‌ام
زان بوی در مشامِ دلِ من هنوز بوست
Hafez, your distracted state seems bad, it's true
but for the Friend's tress-fragrance, distraction becomes virtue.
حافظ بد است حالِ پریشانِ تو، ولی
بر بویِ زلفِ یار پریشانیَت نکوست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses hope for forgiveness and intense longing. The verse about weeping so much that passers-by ask 'what water is this?' is a striking image of grief. The reference to the beloved being 'fairy-faced' but 'angel-natured' is charming. The verse about the fragrance of the tress remaining in memory for a lifetime is poignant. The final verse's acknowledgment that distraction is 'bad' but 'good' when caused by the beloved's fragrance shows the complexity of love. The poem's emotional intensity makes it relatable.
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