I am one who finds the corner of the tavern his monastery: Ghazal 53 by Hafez
I am one who finds the corner of the tavern his monastery: Ghazal 53 by Hafez
By
@fatemeh | poet: Hafez Shirazi
منم که گوشهٔ میخانه خانقاهِ من است
دعایِ پیرِ مغان وردِ صبحگاهِ من است
***
گَرَم ترانهٔ چنگ صَبوح نیست چه باک
نوایِ من به سحر آهِ عذرخواهِ من است
***
ز پادشاه و گدا فارغم بحمدالله
گدایِ خاکِ درِ دوست، پادشاه من است
***
غرض ز مسجد و میخانه‌ام وصال شماست
جز این خیال ندارم خدا گواهِ من است
***
مگر به تیغ اجل خیمه بَرکَنَم ور نی
رمیدن از درِ دولت نه رسم و راهِ من است
***
از آن زمان که بر این آستان نهادم روی
فرازِ مسندِ خورشید، تکیه‌گاهِ من است
***
گناه اگر چه نبود اختیارِ ما حافظ
تو در طریقِ ادب باش، گو گناهِ من است
***
Description:
English Translation:
I am one who finds the corner of the tavern his monastery,
The prayer of the Magian sage is my morning incantation.
If I have not the morning song of the lute, what does it matter?
My tune at dawn is the sigh of my apology.
I am free from king and beggar, thanks be to God,
A beggar at my beloved's door, a king is my state.
My purpose in mosque and tavern is your union,
God is my witness, I have no other thought.
Unless the sword of fate strikes my tent, or not,
Fleeing from the door of fortune is not my custom or way.
Since the day I set my face toward this threshold,
The summit of the sun's throne has been my resting place.
Though sin was not our choice, Hafez,
Be polite on the path, say that it is my sin.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores the themes of spirituality, love, and the search for meaning. He often uses the imagery of the tavern and the mosque to represent different aspects of human experience.
Key Themes:
Spiritual Seeking: The poet suggests that spiritual enlightenment can be found in both the tavern and the mosque.
Love as a Divine Connection: The poet's love for the beloved is seen as a spiritual connection.
The Paradox of Poverty and Wealth: The poet suggests that spiritual wealth is more valuable than material wealth.
Submission to Fate: The poet accepts his fate with resignation.
Key Persian terms and their nuances:
مغان: Magian, a Zoroastrian priest
صبوح: Morning wine
اجل: Fate, death
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical thoughts with a celebration of love. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a rich tapestry of meaning.