Tonight they beat this untimely drum with a lighter hand, Ghazal 14 from Saadi

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Tonight they beat this untimely drum with a lighter hand, Ghazal 14 from Saadi

By hamed @hamed | poet: Saadi Shirazi | 20 0

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Description:

In this ghazal, Saadi Shirazi poetically reflects on fleeting time, unfulfilled desires, and the mingling of gratitude with humility. He describes a night that seems to slip by too quickly, depriving him of the joy he longs to experience fully. Saadi’s emotions are layered, blending delight and gratitude with a sense of inadequacy in accepting divine gifts. He accepts honor in submission, illustrating the humility of one who feels blessed beyond measure. He ends by acknowledging his reputation among both mystics and common people, asserting his own form of reverent “idol-worship”—a metaphor for deep, heartfelt devotion, transcending literal interpretations of faith.

English Translation for Ghazal

Tonight they beat this untimely drum with a lighter hand,
Or perhaps the dawn bird mistook its call to wake.

Was it but a moment, or a night stolen from our lives?
Still we haven’t tasted even the first delight of lips meeting lips.

I am both refreshed and ashamed, joyful and constrained,
Unable to bear the weight of this generous gift.

If you place your foot upon my head, you grant me the honor of closeness,
For me, there is nothing else to offer but to bow my head in thanks.

Now that good fortune has completely reconciled with me,
Let it bear the soul of the ill-wishers to their bitter ends.

Saadi has become known throughout the world, among Sufis and commoners alike—know this:
We may practice idol-worship, but even then, we worship with reverence.

متن غزل

امشب سبک‌تر می‌زنند این طبل بی‌هنگام را
یا وقت بیداری غلط بودَست مرغ بام را

یک لحظه بود این یا شبی کز عمر ما تاراج شد
ما همچنان لب بر لبی نابرگرفته کام را

هم تازه‌رویم هم خجل هم شادمان هم تنگ‌دل
کز عهده بیرون آمدن نتوانم این انعام را

گر پای بر فرقم نهی تشریف قربت می‌دهی
جز سر نمی‌دانم نهادن عذر این اقدام را

چون بخت نیک‌انجام را با ما به کلی صلح شد
بگذار تا جان می‌دهد بدگوی بدفرجام را

سعدی عَلَم شد در جهان صوفی و عامی گو بدان
ما بت‌پرستی می‌کنیم آن گه چنین اصنام را

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