Don’t ask me of the love-sickness I’ve endured, Ghazal 270 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 15 4

دردِ عشقی کشیده‌ام که مَپُرس

زهرِ هجری چشیده‌ام که مَپُرس

***

گشته‌ام در جهان و آخرِ کار

دلبری برگزیده‌ام که مپرس

***

آن چنان در هوایِ خاکِ دَرَش

می‌رود آبِ دیده‌ام که مپرس

***

من به گوشِ خود از دهانش دوش

سخنانی شنیده‌ام که مپرس

***

سویِ من لب چه می‌گَزی که «مگوی»

لبِ لعلی گَزیده‌ام که مپرس

***

بی تو در کلبهٔ گداییِ خویش

رنج‌هایی کشیده‌ام که مپرس

***

همچو حافظ غریب در رَهِ عشق

به مَقامی رسیده‌ام که مپرس

***


Description:

English Translation:

Don’t ask me of the love-sickness I’ve endured,
Or the poison of separation I’ve tasted.

I’ve searched the world and in the end,
I’ve chosen a beloved, don’t ask me why.

My tears flow like water towards the dust of their door,
Don’t ask how much.

I heard words from their own lips last night,
Don’t ask what they were.

Why do you bite your lip and say, “Don’t say it”?
I’ve tasted a ruby lip, don’t ask me how.

Without you, in my beggar’s hut,
I’ve endured pains, don’t ask me how much.

Like a lonely Hafez on the path of love,
I’ve reached a station, don’t ask me where.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Sept. 24, 2024, 6:18 p.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, longing, and the pain of separation. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his intense emotions.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 24, 2024, 6:19 p.m.

Key Themes:

Love and longing: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the pain of separation.
Spiritual journey: The poet uses imagery of the journey, the beloved's door, and the beggar's hut to symbolize the spiritual journey and the search for meaning.
The transience of life: The poet reflects on the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the eternal nature of the soul.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 24, 2024, 6:19 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

دردِ عشق: Love-sickness
هجر: Separation
دلبری: Beloved
گدایی: Beggary

hamed
@hamed Sept. 24, 2024, 6:19 p.m.

Some of the nuances that are difficult to fully capture in translation include:

The intricate use of imagery: Hafez often uses multiple layers of symbolism and metaphor to convey his meaning.
The musicality of the Persian language: The sounds and rhythms of the Persian language contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the poem.
Sufi concepts: The poem is rich in Sufi symbolism and concepts, which can be challenging to convey in a different cultural context.