Rubaei 27 By Hafez Shirazi
در باغ چو شد باد صبا دایهٔ گلبربست مشاطهوار پیرایهٔ گل
از سایه به خورشید اگرت هست امانخورشیدرُخی طلب کن و سایهٔ گل
Description:
Literal Translation:
In the garden, when the gentle breeze became the nurse of the rose,
It tied the rose's adornments like a hairdresser.
If you have safety from the shade to the sun,
Seek a sun-faced one and the shade of a rose.
Poetic and Interpretive Translation:
When the soft breeze tends the garden's rose,
It styles the flower, as a hairdresser knows.
If you dare venture from shade into the sun,
Seek a lover with a radiant face, and a rose's shade.
Analysis
This rubai by Hafez is a beautiful depiction of the beauty of nature and the human heart. It uses imagery from a Persian garden to convey a deeper emotional and spiritual message.
The Garden as a Metaphor: The garden is often used in Persian poetry as a symbol of paradise or the human heart. The roses represent beauty and love.
The Breeze and the Hairdresser: The gentle breeze is personified as a nurse or hairdresser, tending to the roses. This image suggests a nurturing and caring force.
The Sun and the Shade: The sun and shade represent different aspects of life. The sun can symbolize passion, vitality, and divine love, while the shade can represent coolness, comfort, and protection.
Interpretation
A Love Poem: Primarily, this rubai is a love poem, inviting the beloved to step out of their comfort zone and embrace a passionate love.
The Journey of Love: The movement from shade to sun can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of love. It suggests that to experience true love, one must sometimes venture into unknown and challenging territory.
The Beauty of Nature: The rubai celebrates the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
In essence, this rubai is an invitation to embrace love and passion. The image of the rose, tended by the gentle breeze, is a beautiful metaphor for the delicate nature of love and the importance of nurturing it.