Rubaei 9 By Hafez Shirazi
امشب ز غمت میان خون خواهم خفتوز بستر عافیت برون خواهم خفت
باور نکنی خیال خود را بفرستتا دَرنگرد که بی تو چون خواهم خفت
Description:
Literal Translation:
Tonight, I will sleep amidst blood because of your grief,
And I will leave the bed of comfort.
If you don't believe me, send your imagination,
So it can see how I will sleep without you.
Poetic and Interpretive Translation:
Tonight, in anguish, I'll be drenched in pain,
Forsaking comfort, lost and insane.
If you doubt my words, send your mind to see,
How I'll endure this night, bereft of thee.
Analysis of the Rubai
This rubai is a poignant expression of Hafez's deep emotional pain and longing. Here's a breakdown of the key themes:
The Agony of Separation: The poet describes a night filled with anguish and suffering caused by separation from his beloved.
The Desire for Reassurance: The poet invites his beloved to send their imagination to witness his suffering, seeking validation for his pain.
The Image of Blood: The image of sleeping "amidst blood" is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of his emotional turmoil.
The Loss of Comfort: The poet renounces the comforts of life, suggesting a complete surrender to his sorrow.
Interpretation
This rubai can be interpreted in several ways:
A Love Poem: On a literal level, it can be seen as a love poem expressing the poet's deep pain and longing for his beloved.
A Mystical Allegory: In a mystical context, the beloved might represent the divine, and the separation could symbolize the soul's longing for reunion with its source.
A Universal Expression of Suffering: The rubai can also be seen as a universal expression of human suffering and the pain of loss.
Overall, this rubai is a powerful and evocative expression of heartbreak. The poet's vivid imagery and emotional intensity create a sense of empathy in the reader.