If that fair-handed one would write a letter to us, Ghazal 436 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez explores themes of love, loss, and the impermanence of worldly pleasures. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his ideas.

Key Themes:

Love and longing: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the pain of separation.
Spiritual journey: The poem suggests a journey towards spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine.
The nature of reality: Hafez questions the nature of reality and the limitations of human understanding.


English Translation for Ghazal

If that fair-handed one would write a letter to us
The pages of our destiny would not be blank


Although separation often bears the fruit of union
Oh gardener of the world, I wish you had not sown this seed

Forgiveness is the immediate reward for one who here
Has a helper like a houri and a palace like paradise

One cannot enjoy luxury on the bench of love
Since there is no golden pillow, let's make one of mud

Do not sell the garden of Arm and the pride of Shedad
For a bottle of wine and a kiss of lips

How long will you grieve over the world, O wise heart?
It is a pity that goodness should become ugly through love

The filth of the robe is the ruin of the world
Where is the path of a pure-hearted lover?

Why did you let go of the ends of your hair, Hafez?
Such was fate, what could you do?

Ghazal in Persian

آن غالیه‌خط گر سوی ما نامه نوشتی

گردون ورق هستی ما درننوشتی

 

هرچند که هجران ثمر وصل برآرد

دهقان جهان کاش که این تخم نکِشتی

 

آمرزش نقد است کسی را که در این جا

یاریست چو حوری و سرایی چو بهشتی

 

در مصطبه عشق تنعم نتوان کرد

چون بالش زر نیست بسازیم به خشتی

 

مفروش به باغ ارم و نخوت شداد

یک شیشه می و نوش لبی و لب کشتی

 

تا کی غم دنیای دنی ای دل دانا

حیف است ز خوبی که شود عاشق زشتی

 

آلودگی خرقه خرابی جهان است

کو راهروی اهل دلی پاک سرشتی

 

از دست چرا هِشت سرِ زلف تو حافظ

تقدیر چنین بود، چه کردی که نهِشتی ؟


hamed
@hamed Oct. 12, 2024, 7:52 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

غالیه‌خط: one with a beautiful handwriting
هوری: a beautiful maiden in Islamic paradise
ارم: a legendary paradise
شداد: a legendary king known for his pride

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.