When I reach for her locks, they sway with a toss, Ghazal 221 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 3 4

چو دست بر سرِ زلفش زنم به تاب رَوَد

ور آشتی طلبم با سرِ عِتاب رَوَد

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چو ماهِ نو رَهِ بیچارگانِ نَظّاره

زَنَد به گوشهٔ ابرو و در نقاب رود

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شبِ شراب خرابم کُنَد به بیداری

وگر به روز شکایت کنم به خواب رود

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طریقِ عشق پرآشوب و فتنه است ای دل

بیفتد آن که در این راه با شتاب رود

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گدایی درِ جانان به سلطنت مفروش

کسی ز سایهٔ این در به آفتاب رود؟

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سوادِ نامهٔ مویِ سیاه چون طی شد

بَیاض کم نَشَوَد گر صد انتخاب رود

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حباب را چو فِتَد بادِ نخوت اندر سر

کلاه داریَش اندر سرِ شراب رود

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حجابِ راه تویی حافظ از میان برخیز

حجابِ راه تویی حافظ از میان برخیز

***


Description:

English Translation:

When I reach for her locks, they sway with a toss,
And if I seek peace, she meets me with reproach.

Like the new moon, a sight for the unfortunate,
She hides behind her eyebrow and veil.

She turns my wine-soaked night into wakefulness,
And if I complain during the day, she falls asleep.

The path of love is full of turmoil and strife, O heart,
He will fall who rushes along this path.

Do not trade the beggary of the beloved's door for a kingdom,
Does anyone go from the shadow of this door into the sunlight?

When the darkness of the black hair's letter is passed,
The whiteness will not decrease even if a hundred choices pass.

When the wind of arrogance enters the head of a bubble,
Its hat will be carried away in the wine cup.

You are the veil in the way, Hafez, so arise,
Blessed is he who goes on this path without a veil.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Sept. 12, 2024, 11:48 a.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, longing, and the complexities of human relationships. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his message.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 12, 2024, 11:48 a.m.

Key Themes:

Unrequited Love: The poet expresses the pain of unrequited love and the difficulties of pursuing a beloved.
The Beloved as a Symbol: The beloved is often used as a symbol for the divine or the object of one's spiritual quest.
The Path of Love: The poet describes the path of love as a challenging and often turbulent journey.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 12, 2024, 11:48 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

زلف: Locks of hair
عِتاب: Reproach
نقاب: Veil
شراب: Wine
سایه: Shadow
حجاب: Veil

hamed
@hamed Sept. 12, 2024, 11:49 a.m.

This ghazal is a meditation on the human condition, exploring the complexities of love and the search for meaning. Hafez uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the intensity of his emotions.