Poem #61
English Translation
Persian
O Breeze! If you should pass through the Friend's sweet land
bring one breath from her musk-scented tress so grand.
صبا اگر گذری اُفتَدَت به کشور دوست
بیار نَفحِه‌ای از گیسوی مُعَنبَر دوست
By her life! In thanksgiving I'd scatter my soul with joy
if you'd bring me one message from the Friend to employ.
به جانِ او که به شکرانه جان برافشانم
اگر به سویِ من آری پیامی از برِ دوست
And if no burden weighs you in that presence so divine
bring dust from her threshold for my eyes to enshrine.
و گر چنان که در آن حضرتت نباشد بار
برایِ دیده بیاور غباری از درِ دوست
I, the beggar, long for union with her—alas, in vain
unless in sleep I glimpse the Friend's face again.
منِ گدا و تمنایِ وصلِ او هیهات
مگر به خواب ببینم خیالِ منظرِ دوست
My cypress heart trembles like a willow in the wind
from longing for the Friend's tall cypress stature, pinned.
دل صِنوبَری‌ام همچو بید لرزان است
ز حسرتِ قد و بالای چون صنوبرِ دوست
Though the Friend won't buy us for any price we'd pay
we wouldn't sell one hair from her head for worlds away.
اگر چه دوست به چیزی نمی‌خرد ما را
به عالمی نفروشیم مویی از سرِ دوست
What if her heart were freed from grief's constraining chain
poor Hafez is her slave and servant to remain.
چه باشد ار شود از بندِ غم دلش آزاد
چو هست حافظِ مسکین غلام و چاکر دوست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses longing for news from the beloved. The verse about not selling 'a hair from the friend's head' for a world is a powerful statement of devotion. The image of the cypress-like heart trembling like a willow is beautiful. The poem's theme of waiting and hoping for any sign from the beloved is universal. The final verse's acknowledgment that Hafez is the friend's servant shows humility. The poem's emotional sincerity makes itrelatable.
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