O Lord, whose candle is this that sets my heart aflame? Ghazal 67 by Hafez
O Lord, whose candle is this that sets my heart aflame? Ghazal 67 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
یا رب این شمع دل افروز ز کاشانهٔ کیست؟
جانِ ما سوخت، بپرسید که جانانهٔ کیست؟
***
حالیا خانه‌براندازِ دل و دین من است
تا در آغوش که می‌خسبد و همخانهٔ کیست
***
بادهٔ لعل لبش کز لبِ من دور مباد
راحِ روح که و پیمان‌دهِ پیمانهٔ کیست؟
***
دولتِ صحبتِ آن شمعِ سعادت‌پرتو
باز پرسید خدا را که به پروانهٔ کیست؟
***
می‌دهد هر کَسَش افسونی و معلوم نشد
که دلِ نازکِ او مایلِ افسانهٔ کیست
***
یا رب آن شاه‌وَشِ ماه‌رخِ زهره‌جبین
دُرِّ یکتایِ که و گوهر یک‌دانهٔ کیست؟
***
گفتم آه از دلِ دیوانهٔ حافظ بی تو
زیرِ لب خنده زنان گفت که دیوانهٔ کیست؟
***
Description:
English Translation:
O Lord, whose candle is this that sets my heart aflame?
My life is consumed, ask who is the beloved of my soul?
Now she is the destroyer of my heart and faith,
With whom does she sleep and who is her companion?
May the wine of her ruby lips never be far from mine,
Who is the comforter of the soul and the giver of the cup?
Ask God who enjoys the fortune of that luminous candle,
And to which moth does it give its light?
Everyone casts a spell on her, but it's unknown,
Whose fairy tale does her delicate heart desire?
O Lord, who is that moon-faced king with a forehead like Venus,
What unique pearl and singular gem is he?
I said, "Alas, for the heart of the mad Hafez without you,"
She smiled and whispered, "Whose madman are you?"
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, longing, and the divine. He uses vivid imagery and paradoxical statements to convey deeper meanings.
Key Themes:
Divine Love: The beloved is often seen as a symbol of the divine, and the poet's love for them is spiritual.
Longing and Separation: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the pain of separation.
The Beloved's Beauty: The beloved is described using celestial imagery, emphasizing their divine beauty.
The Poet's Lament: Hafez expresses his pain and longing for the beloved, while also celebrating the freedom of his poetic expression.
Key Persian terms and their nuances:
شمع دل: Heart's candle
جانانه: Beloved
راح: Comforter
پیمانه: Cup
زهره: Venus (planet)
شاه‌وش: A king's consort
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.