The true beloved is not one with curly hair and a lean waist, Ghazal 125 by Hafez
The true beloved is not one with curly hair and a lean waist, Ghazal 125 by Hafez
By
@admin | poet: Hafez Shirazi
شاهد آن نیست که موییّ و میانی دارد
بندهٔ طلعتِ آن باش که آنی دارد
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شیوهٔ حور و پری گرچه لطیف است ولی
خوبی آن است و لطافت که فُلانی دارد
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چشمهٔ چشمِ مرا ای گلِ خندان دریاب
که به امّیدِ تو خوش آبِ روانی دارد
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گوی خوبی که بَرَد از تو؟ که خورشید آن جا
نه سواریست که در دست عِنانی دارد
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دل نشان شد سخنم تا تو قبولش کردی
آری آری سخنِ عشق نشانی دارد
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خَمِ ابرویِ تو در صنعتِ تیراندازی
بُرده از دستِ هر آن کس که کمانی دارد
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در رَهِ عشق نشد کَس به یقین محرمِ راز
هر کسی بر حَسَبِ فکر، گُمانی دارد
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با خرابات نشینان ز کَرامات مَلاف
هر سخن وقتی و هر نکته مکانی دارد
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مرغِ زیرک نزند در چمنش پرده سرای
هر بهاری که به دنباله، خزانی دارد
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مدعی گو لُغَز و نکته به حافظ مفروش
کِلکِ ما نیز زبانی و بیانی دارد
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Description:
English Translation:
The true beloved is not one with curly hair and a lean waist,
But be the servant of that beauty who has that [unique] quality.
Though the manner of houris and fairies is delicate,
The good is that beauty and delicacy that [your beloved] has.
O smiling flower, understand the spring of my eye,
For it has a pleasant flow in hope of you.
Who can carry news of your beauty? For the sun there
Is not a horse that is in someone's hand with reins.
My heart was reassured when you accepted my words,
Yes, yes, the words of love have a sign.
The curve of your eyebrow in the art of archery
Has taken the heart of anyone who has a bow.
On the path of love, no one has been certainly privy to the secret,
Everyone has a suspicion according to their thought.
Don’t compare the miracles of the tavern-dwellers to the mullahs,
Every word has its time and every point its place.
The clever bird doesn’t build a nest in its meadow,
Every spring has an autumn following.
Don’t display your riddles and points to Hafez,
My pen also has a language and an expression.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, beauty, and the nature of true understanding.
Key Themes:
True Beauty: The poet argues that true beauty lies beyond physical attributes and is found in the unique qualities of the beloved.
The Nature of Love: Hafez explores the complexities of love, suggesting that true understanding of love is elusive.
The Poet's Role: The poet asserts the power of poetry to convey deep emotions and truths.
Key Persian terms and their nuances:
شاهد: Witness, but also often used to refer to a lover or beloved
حور و پری: Houris and fairies, beautiful maidens in Islamic paradise
خرابات نشین: A tavern-dweller, often used as a symbol for a spiritual seeker or lover
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical thoughts with everyday imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.