Perhaps they will open the doors of the taverns, Ghazal 202 by Hafez

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

بُوَد آیا که درِ میکده‌ها بگشایند

گره از کارِ فروبستهٔ ما بگشایند

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اگر از بهرِ دلِ زاهدِ خودبین بستند

دل قوی دار که از بهرِ خدا بگشایند

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به صفایِ دلِ رندانِ صَبوحی زدگان

بس درِ بسته به مِفْتاحِ دعا بگشایند

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نامهٔ تَعزیَتِ دختر رَز بِنْویسید

تا همه مُغبَچِگان زلفِ دوتا بگشایند

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گیسوی چنگ بِبُرّید به مرگِ مِیِ ناب

تا حریفان همه خون از مژه‌ها بگشایند

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درِ میخانه ببستند خدایا مپسند

که درِ خانهٔ تزویر و ریا بگشایند

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حافظ این خرقه که داری تو ببینی فردا

که چه زُنّار ز زیرش به دَغا بگشایند

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Description:

English Translation:

Perhaps they will open the doors of the taverns,
And untie the knot of our entangled affairs?

If they closed it for the sake of the self-conceited ascetic,
Be of good cheer, for they will open it for God’s sake.

By the purity of the hearts of the joyful wine-drinkers,
Many closed doors are opened with the key of prayer.

Write a letter of condolence about the daughter of the rose,
So that all the curly-haired beauties will open their locks.

Cut the hair of the lute at the death of pure wine,
So that all rivals will shed tears from their eyelashes.

God forbid they should close the door of the tavern,
And open the door of hypocrisy and pretense.

Hafez, tomorrow you will see this robe you are wearing,
And what a girdle they will open deceitfully from beneath it.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:24 a.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

In this ghazal, Hafez critiques religious hypocrisy and celebrates the joy and freedom associated with wine and love. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his message.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:24 a.m.

Key Themes:

Hypocrisy: Hafez criticizes religious leaders who close the doors of pleasure and joy.
The Power of Love: The poet extols the transformative power of love, which can transcend religious boundaries and social norms.
Mysticism: Hafez uses mystical imagery to describe the spiritual journey of the lover.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:24 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

میکده: Tavern
صبوحی: Wine-drinker
مُغبَچِگان: Those with curly hair, often used to refer to beautiful women
زُنّار: A belt worn by Zoroastrians as a religious symbol, here used metaphorically to represent hypocrisy

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:25 a.m.

This ghazal is a powerful critique of hypocrisy and a celebration of the transformative power of love. Hafez uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his message.