My heart has wandered, and I, the poor one, am oblivious, Ghazal 290 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 5 4

دلم رمیده شد و غافلم منِ درویش

که آن شِکاریِ سرگشته را چه آمد پیش

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چو بید بر سرِ ایمانِ خویش می‌لرزم

که دل به دستِ کمان ابروییست کافِرکیش

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خیال حوصلهٔ بحر می‌پزد هیهات

چه‌هاست در سرِ این قطرهٔ مُحال اندیش!

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بنازم آن مژهٔ شوخِ عافیت کُش را

که موج می‌زندش آبِ نوش، بر سرِ نیش

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ز آستینِ طبیبان هزار خون بچکد

گَرَم به تجربه دستی نهند بر دلِ ریش

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به کویِ میکده گریان و سرفِکنده رَوَم

چرا که شرم همی‌آیدم ز حاصلِ خویش

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نه عمرِ خِضر بِمانَد، نه مُلکِ اسکندر

نزاع بر سرِ دنیی دون مَکُن درویش

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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.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Sept. 28, 2024, 6:52 p.m.

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.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 28, 2024, 6:52 p.m.

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.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 28, 2024, 6:52 p.m.

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

hamed
@hamed Sept. 28, 2024, 6:53 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.