Poem #88
English Translation
Persian
I heard a sweet word from the Elder of Canaan
'Separation from the Friend does things no tongue can tell.'
شنیده‌ام سخنی خوش که پیرِ کنعان گفت
«فِراق یار، نه آن می‌کند که بتوان گفت»
The terror of Resurrection the city preacher describes
is but a hint of the day of separation.
حدیثِ هولِ قیامت که گفت واعظِ شهر
کنایتی‌ست که از روزگارِ هجران گفت
Of whom shall I ask news of the traveled Friend?
For whatever the breeze said was scattered and confused.
نشانِ یارِ سفرکرده از کِه پُرسم باز؟
که هر چه گفت بَریدِ صبا، پریشان گفت
Alas, that unkind Moon, severing love
spoke so easily of leaving her friends' company.
فغان که آن مهِ نامهربانِ مِهرگُسِل
به تَرکِ صحبتِ یاران خود چه آسان گفت
Now I choose contentment and thank the rival
my heart has grown used to your pain and renounced the cure.
من و مقامِ رضا بعد از این و شُکرِ رقیب
که دل به دردِ تو خو کرد و ترکِ درمان گفت
Banish old grief with vintage wine
'This is the seed of joy,' the old farmer said.
غمِ کهن به میِ سال‌خورده دفع کنید
که تخم خوش‌دلی این است؛ پیرِ دهقان گفت
Do not tie your heart to the wind, though it blows as you wish
the wind told Solomon this truth long ago.
گره به باد مزن گر چه بر مراد رود
که این سخن به مَثَل، باد با سلیمان گفت
In the respite Heaven grants, do not stray
who told you this old crone would ever leave her tricks?
به مهلتی که سپهرت دهد ز راه مرو
تو را که گفت که این زال تَرک دَستان گفت؟
Ask not 'how' or 'why'
the faithful servant accepts with their soul whatever the Beloved says.
مزن ز چون و چرا دم که بندهٔ مُقبِل
قبول کرد به جان، هر سخن که جانان گفت
Who claimed Hafez has turned back from thoughts of you?
I never said it; he who spoke it, spoke a lie.
که گفت حافظ از اندیشهٔ تو آمد باز؟
من این نگفته‌ام آن کس که گفت بُهتان گفت
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains references to biblical and legendary figures (Canaan, Solomon, Zal). The verse about separation from the friend being indescribable is poignant. The observation that the preacher's talk of resurrection is really about 'the age of separation' is a clever insight. The verse about not tying 'a knot to the wind' is a memorable proverb. The final verse's denial that Hafez came back from thinking of the beloved shows continued devotion. The poem's mix of cultural references and emotional honesty makes it engaging.
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