The curve of your tresses is a snare for both faith and disbelief: Ghazal 55 by Hafez
The curve of your tresses is a snare for both faith and disbelief: Ghazal 55 by Hafez
By
@fatemeh | poet: Hafez Shirazi
خَمِ زلفِ تو دامِ کفر و دین است
ز کارستانِ او یک شمه این است
***
جمالت مُعجِزِ حُسن است لیکن
حدیثِ غمزه‌ات سحرِ مبین است
***
ز چشمِ شوخِ تو جان کی توان برد؟
که دایم با کمان اندر کمین است
***
بر آن چشمِ سیه صد آفرین باد
که در عاشق کُشی سِحرآفرین است
***
عجب عِلمیست عِلم هیئت عشق
که چرخِ هشتمش، هفتم زمین است
***
تو پنداری که بدگو رفت و جان برد؟
حسابش با کرام الکاتبین است
***
مشو حافظ ز کیدِ زلفش ایمن
که دل برد و کنون در بندِ دین است
***
Description:
English Translation:
The curve of your tresses is a snare for both faith and disbelief,
A mere glimpse of your beauty is proof of this.
Your beauty is a miracle of loveliness, but
The tale of your glances is a clear enchantment.
Who can bear the life from your coquettish eyes?
They are always on the lookout with their bow.
A hundred blessings on those black eyes
Which are so magical in slaying lovers.
What a science is the science of love's celestial sphere
Where the eighth heaven is the seventh earth.
Do you think the slanderer has gone and taken your life?
His reckoning is with the noble scribes.
Hafez, do not feel safe from the snare of her tresses,
For she has stolen hearts and is now in the bonds of religion.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores the themes of love, beauty, and the power of the beloved. The poet uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the intensity of his emotions.
Key Themes:
The Beloved as a Temptress: The beloved is depicted as a temptress who can lead one astray from both faith and disbelief.
The Power of Beauty: The beloved's beauty is so powerful that it can ensnare even the most devout.
The Unpredictability of Love: Love is portrayed as a powerful force that can lead to both joy and sorrow.
Key Persian terms and their nuances:
زلف: Tresses, often used as a metaphor for a beloved's hair
معجزه: Miracle
سحر: Magic, enchantment
کمان: Bow, often used as a metaphor for the eyebrows
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep emotional expression with rich imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the power of love.