The world has drawn a kohl-lined crescent on the brow of Eid, Ghazal 238 by Hafez Shirazi
The world has drawn a kohl-lined crescent on the brow of Eid, Ghazal 238 by Hafez Shirazi
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
جهان بر ابرویِ عید از هِلال وَسمه کشید
هِلال عید در ابرویِ یار باید دید
***
شکسته گشت چو پشتِ هلال قامتِ من
کمانِ ابرویِ یارم چو وَسمه بازکشید
***
مگر نسیمِ خَطَت صبح در چمن بگذشت
که گُل به بویِ تو بر تن چو صبح جامه درید
***
نبود چنگ و رَباب و نَبید و عود، که بود
گِلِ وجودِ من آغشتهٔ گلاب و نَبید
***
بیا که با تو بگویم غمِ ملالتِ دل
چرا که بی تو ندارم مَجالِ گفت و شَنید
***
بهایِ وصلِ تو گر جان بُوَد خریدارم
که جنسِ خوب مُبَصِّر به هر چه دید خرید
***
چو ماهِ روی تو در شامِ زلف می‌دیدم
شبم به رویِ تو روشن چو روز می‌گردید
***
به لب رسید مرا جان و برنیامد کام
به سر رسید امید و طلب به سر نرسید
***
ز شوقِ رویِ تو حافظ نوشت حرفی چند
بخوان ز نظمش و در گوش کن چو مروارید
***
Description:
English Translation:
The world has drawn a kohl-lined crescent on the brow of Eid,
But the crescent of Eid should be seen on my beloved's brow.
My stature, like the back of a crescent, has become bent,
As my beloved's eyebrow has drawn itself out like kohl.
Perhaps the morning breeze of your handwriting passed through the meadow,
For the flower, to your scent, tore its clothes like the morning.
There was no lute, nor tambourine, nor wine, nor oud, yet there was,
My essence was drenched in rosewater and wine.
Come, so that I may tell you the sorrow of my heart’s weariness,
For without you, I have no ability to speak or listen.
If the price of your union is my life, I am the buyer,
For a discerning person buys a good commodity whatever the price.
When I saw your moon-like face in the darkness of your locks,
My night became as bright as day because of you.
My life has reached my lips, yet my desire has not been fulfilled,
Hope has reached its end, but my request has not been granted.
From the longing for your face, Hafez wrote a few words,
Read his poetry and listen to it as you would to a pearl.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez expresses a deep longing for his beloved. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his intense feelings of love and desire.
Key Themes:
Love and longing: The poet's longing for his beloved is central to this ghazal.
Beauty and nature: The poet uses natural imagery (like the crescent moon, flowers, and the morning breeze) to describe his beloved and his emotions.
Spiritual and mystical themes: The ghazal hints at deeper spiritual meanings, suggesting that the beloved might represent a divine or spiritual ideal.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
هلال: Crescent moon
وسمه: Kohl (a black cosmetic used for the eyes)
خط: Handwriting
نَبید: Wine
عود: Oud (a stringed instrument)
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.
Cultural references: Many of Hafez's poems, including this one, contain allusions to Persian history, literature, and mythology.