We did not taste a sip from her ruby lips, and she departed: Ghazal 85 by Hafez

By admin @admin | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 4 4

شربتی از لبِ لعلش نچشیدیم و بِرَفت

رویِ مَه پیکرِ او سیر ندیدیم و برفت

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گویی از صحبتِ ما نیک به تنگ آمده بود

بار بربست و به گَردش نرسیدیم و برفت

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بس که ما فاتحه و حرزِ یمانی خواندیم

وز پی‌اش سوره اخلاص دمیدیم و برفت

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عشوه دادند که بر ما گذری خواهی کرد

دیدی آخر که چنین عشوه خریدیم و برفت

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شد چمان در چمنِ حسن و لطافت لیکن

در گلستانِ وصالش نَچَمیدیم و برفت

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همچو حافظ همه شب ناله و زاری کردیم

کای دریغا به وداعش نرسیدیم و برفت

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Description:

English Translation:

We did not taste a sip from her ruby lips, and she departed,
We did not satiate our gaze upon her moon-faced beauty, and she departed.

It seemed she grew weary of our company,
She packed her bags and we couldn't catch up to her, and she departed.

We recited many a Fatiha and Yemeni amulet for her sake,
And breathed the Surah of Ikhlas after her, and she departed.

She coquetted, saying she would visit us,
But see, in the end, this is what we bought with her coquetry, and she departed.

She was a cypress in the garden of beauty and grace, but
We did not pluck a flower in the garden of her union, and she departed.

Like Hafez, we lamented and cried all night,
Alas, we did not reach her farewell, and she departed.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

admin
@admin Aug. 7, 2024, 11:17 a.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, loss, and the transience of life. He uses vivid imagery and paradoxical statements to convey deeper meanings.

admin
@admin Aug. 7, 2024, 11:17 a.m.

Key Themes:

Loss of Love: The poet expresses deep sorrow and despair over the loss of his beloved.
The Transience of Beauty: The poet emphasizes the fleeting nature of earthly beauty.
Spiritual Longing: The poet's love is often intertwined with his spiritual quest.

admin
@admin Aug. 7, 2024, 11:17 a.m.

Key Persian terms and their nuances:

لب لعل: Ruby lips (a metaphor for the beloved's mouth)
ماه پیکر: Moon-faced (a metaphor for the beloved's beauty)
فاتحه: Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran, often recited for the deceased)
حرز یمانی: Yemeni amulet (a protective charm)
سوره اخلاص: Surah of Ikhlas (a chapter of the Quran)

admin
@admin Aug. 7, 2024, 11:17 a.m.

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 his heartbreak and longing.