Poem #82
English Translation
Persian
That fairy-faced Turk who left us last night
what fault did she perceive, that she herself strayed from the path?
آن تُرکِ پری چهره که دوش از بَرِ ما رفت
آیا چه خطا دید که از راهِ خطا رفت؟
Since she vanished from my sight
no one knows what floods have flowed from these weeping eyes.
تا رفت مرا از نظر آن چشمِ جهانبین
کس واقفِ ما نیست که از دیده چهها رفت
The smoke that rose from my burning heart last night
even the candle did not endure such fire as swept over my head.
بر شمع نرفت از گذرِ آتشِ دل، دوش
آن دود که از سوزِ جگر بر سر ما رفت
Far from your face, moment by moment
a flood of tears flowed and a storm of calamity swept through my soul.
دور از رخِ تو دم به دم از گوشهٔ چشمم
سیلابِ سرشک آمد و طوفانِ بلا رفت
We fell to our knees when the grief of separation arrived
we died in pain when the cure slipped from our hands.
از پای فُتادیم چو آمد غمِ هجران
در درد بمردیم چو از دست دوا رفت
My heart whispered: 'Her union can be won with prayer'
yet a lifetime has passed, and all my life has gone in praying.
دل گفت وصالش به دعا باز توان یافت
عمریست که عمرم همه در کارِ دعا رفت
What pilgrim's garb shall we wear when our Qibla is not here?
Why strive in Sa'i, when Safa has vanished from Marwa?
احرام چه بندیم؟ چو آن قبله نه این جاست
در سعی چه کوشیم؟ چو از مروه صفا رفت
Yesterday the physician saw me and said with regret
'Alas, your affliction has passed beyond the laws of healing.'
دی گفت طبیب از سرِ حسرت چو مرا دید
هیهات که رنجِ تو ز قانونِ شفا رفت
O friend, ask after Hafez while there is time
before they say he has passed from this world of dust.
ای دوست به پرسیدنِ حافظ قدمی نه
زان پیش که گویند که از دارِ فنا رفت
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses grief at the beloved's departure. The verse about the smoke from the 'burning of the liver' going over the head is a striking image of suffering. The reference to ihram, qibla, Sa'i, and Marwa Safa (pilgrimage rituals) adds Islamic context. The verse about a lifetime spent 'in the work of prayer' to find union is poignant. The final verse's urgency about asking about Hafez before he dies adds emotional weight. The poem's combination of religious imagery and emotional intensity makes it engaging.
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