My heart has wandered, and I, the poor one, am oblivious, Ghazal 290 by Hafez
My heart has wandered, and I, the poor one, am oblivious, Ghazal 290 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
دلم رمیده شد و غافلم منِ درویش
که آن شِکاریِ سرگشته را چه آمد پیش
***
چو بید بر سرِ ایمانِ خویش می‌لرزم
که دل به دستِ کمان ابروییست کافِرکیش
***
خیال حوصلهٔ بحر می‌پزد هیهات
چه‌هاست در سرِ این قطرهٔ مُحال اندیش!
***
بنازم آن مژهٔ شوخِ عافیت کُش را
که موج می‌زندش آبِ نوش، بر سرِ نیش
***
ز آستینِ طبیبان هزار خون بچکد
گَرَم به تجربه دستی نهند بر دلِ ریش
***
به کویِ میکده گریان و سرفِکنده رَوَم
چرا که شرم همی‌آیدم ز حاصلِ خویش
***
نه عمرِ خِضر بِمانَد، نه مُلکِ اسکندر
نزاع بر سرِ دنیی دون مَکُن درویش
***
بدان کمر نرسد دستِ هر گدا حافظ
خزانه‌ای به کف آور ز گنجِ قارون بیش
***
Description:
English Translation:
My heart has wandered, and I, the poor one, am oblivious,
What has become of that bewildered hunter?
I tremble like a willow over my faith,
For my heart is in the hands of the bow of a faithless eyebrow.
My imagination cooks up the patience of the sea, alas!
What thoughts are in the head of this drop that thinks the impossible!
I praise that playful, life-taking eyelash,
Whose wave of sweet water splashes on the tip.
Let a thousand drops of blood fall from the sleeves of the physicians,
If they dare to put their hands on my wounded heart.
I go to the tavern weeping and with head bowed,
For I am ashamed of my own achievements.
Neither Khidr's life will last, nor Alexander's kingdom,
Do not quarrel over this lowly world, O dervish.
Know that the hand of every beggar cannot reach that waist,
Acquire a treasure greater than the treasure of Qarun.
Explanation of the Ghazal
This ghazal by Hafez is a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and spiritual longing. The poet expresses his confusion and despair over his love for a seemingly unattainable beloved.
Key Themes:
The pain of love: The poet is deeply wounded by love and feels lost and confused.
Spiritual longing: The poet expresses a longing for spiritual enlightenment and a desire to escape the pain of worldly attachments.
The impermanence of life: The poet reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the futility of worldly pursuits.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
شِکاری: Hunter (metaphor for the poet's heart)
کافِر کیش: Unfaithful, here referring to the beloved's heartlessness
مُحال اندیش: One who thinks the impossible
عافیت کُش: Life-taking
خِضر: A prophet in Islamic tradition associated with eternal life
اسکندر: Alexander the Great, a symbol of worldly power
قارون: A figure in the Quran known for his immense wealth
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.