Poem #65
English Translation
Persian
What's sweeter than joy, friends, gardens in spring's embrace
where's the Cupbearer? Say, why do we wait in this place?
خوشتر ز عیش و صحبت و باغ و بهار چیست؟
ساقی کجاست، گو سببِ انتظار چیست؟
Each pleasant moment that arrives, seize it as treasure rare
none knows what ending waits for us—no one's aware.
هر وقتِ خوش که دست دهد مغتنم شمار
کس را وقوف نیست که انجامِ کار چیست
Life's thread is tied to just one hair—be mindful, friend
comfort yourself—why grieve for what the ages send?
پیوندِ عمر بسته به مویی‌ست هوش دار
غمخوارِ خویش باش، غم روزگار چیست؟
What is Life's water or Iram's fabled garden fair
but streamside breeze and sweet wine beyond compare?
معنیِ آبِ زندگی و روضهٔ ارم
جز طَرفِ جویبار و میِ خوشگوار چیست؟
The veiled and drunk—both from one tribe, they say
to whose charm give our hearts? What choice holds sway?
مستور و مست هر دو چو از یک قبیله‌اند
ما دل به عشوهٔ که دهیم اختیار چیست؟
What knows the sky of secrets veiled from mortal sight
be silent, claimant! Why dispute the Keeper of the night?
راز درونِ پرده چه داند فلک، خموش
ای مدعی نزاعِ تو با پرده‌دار چیست؟
If servants' errors hold no weight or consequence
what means the Forgiver's mercy and benevolence?
سهو و خطایِ بنده گَرَش اعتبار نیست
معنیِ عفو و رحمتِ آمُرزگار چیست؟
The ascetic seeks Kawthar's wine, Hafez the earthly cup
what does the Creator wish between these two built up?
زاهد شرابِ کوثر و حافظ پیاله خواست
تا در میانه خواستهٔ کردگار چیست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound carpe diem philosophy. The verse 'the bond of life is tied to a hair' is a striking image of life's fragility. The observation that 'the veiled and the drunk are from one tribe' is a thought-provoking statement about human nature. The reference to Kawthar (a river in paradise) adds spiritual context. The final verse's question about what the Creator desires 'in between' the ascetic's and Hafez's wants is a profound theological question. The poem's combination of worldly wisdom and spiritual questioning makes it very engaging.
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