My life is always joyous, thanks to my beloved’s ruby lips, Ghzal 417 by Hafez

My life is always joyous, thanks to my beloved’s ruby lips, Ghzal 417 by Hafez

By @hamed on October 11, 2024

My life is always joyous, thanks to my beloved’s ruby lips, Ghzal 417 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez expresses deep love and joy for his beloved, while also criticizing religious hypocrisy. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe his emotions and desires.

Key Themes:

Love and joy: The poet expresses intense joy and satisfaction in his love for his beloved.
Criticism of religious hypocrisy: Hafez criticizes the hypocrisy of religious figures who condemn pleasure and love.
Carpe diem: The poet encourages seizing the moment and enjoying life.


English Translation for Ghazal

My life is always joyous, thanks to my beloved’s ruby lips
My affairs are successful, all thanks to God


O rebellious fortune, tighten your grip around my neck
Sometimes draw a golden cup, sometimes the ruby lips of my beloved

They have made us into legendary rogues
Ignorant elders, misguided sheikhs

We have repented from the hand of the ascetic
And sought forgiveness from God for the actions of the devotee

Beloved, what can I say to describe your separation?
A hundred tears in my eye, a hundred sighs in my heart

May the unbeliever not see this sorrow that I have seen
From your cypress-like stature, from your moon-like face

Longing for your lips has taken away from حافظ
His nightly lessons, his morning prayers

Ghazal in Persian

عیشم مدام است، از لعل دل‌خواه

کارم به کام است، الحمدلله

 

ای بخت سرکش! تنگش به بَر کش

گه جام زر کش، گه لعل دل‌خواه

 

ما را به رندی، افسانه کردند

پیران جاهل، شیخان گمراه

 

از دست زاهد، کردیم توبه

و از فعل عابد، استغفرالله

 

جانا چه گویم، شرح فراقت؟

چشمی و صد نم، جانی و صد آه

 

کافر مبیناد، این غم که دیده‌ست

از قامتت سرو، از عارضت ماه

 

شوق لبت برد، از یاد حافظ

درس شبانه، ورد سحرگاه


hamed
@hamed Oct. 11, 2024, 12:24 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

لعل: ruby (often used as a metaphor for lips)
زاهد: ascetic
عابد: devotee

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.