Ghazal 2: Maiden Kiss Poem by Hafiz of Shiraz

Ghazal 2: Maiden Kiss



I pine away. Sages, plead with God for my woe
Alas, my secret pain, the world is soon to know

Our bark has stranded; O gentle breeze, arise!
That we may visit the friend we so dearly prize

The ten-day favor of the sphere is a tale untrue
Friend! Goodness to friends is a trait to pursue!

Yester eve, in festivity, the bulbul tuned a song'
'Saki! Bring wine! Come to life! O drunken throng! '

Noble soul! God blessed you with rigor and grace
So, seek - at least - to cheer up this dervish's face

Peace in the two worlds, these remarks clearly show
'Love to every friend and civility to every foe.'

Upon the path of honor, denied was my range
Should you not approve it, seek my fate to change

That bitter wine known to the Sufi a sin to be
Tastes much sweeter than a maiden kiss to me

In times of distress, rejoice and trouble not to learn
This alchemy of life can beggar to Croesus turn

Be mild! Burn as a taper from jealousy overmuch
Adamant melts like wax under the beloved's touch

Alexander's mirror is the same wine bowl. Behold
Everything in Darab's kingdom reflected in its mold

Speakers of sweet Persian, the water of life dispense
Saki! Hasten and give this word to pious men of sense

Hafiz declined to don this wine-stained cowl
O upright Master! Hold us innocent of this foul


English translation © Ali Salami
Tehran, Iran
salami2046@gmail.com

Saturday, October 18, 2014
Topic(s) of this poem: love and pain
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success