Rubaei 37 By Hafez Shirazi
گفتی که تو را شوم مدار اندیشهدل خوش کن و بر صبر گمار اندیشه
کو صبر و چه دل، کآنچه دلش میخوانندیک قطرهٔ خون است و هزار اندیشه
Description:
Literal Translation:
You said, "Don't have bad thoughts about me."
"Be happy and put your mind on patience."
Where is patience and what heart is that, for which they call?
It is a drop of blood and a thousand thoughts.
Poetic and Interpretive Translation:
You said, "Fear not, for I'll be true,"
"Be patient, hope will see you through."
But where's the patience, where the heart to bear,
When every beat's a wound, a deep despair?
Analysis
This rubai by Hafez is a poignant expression of heartbreak and the difficulty of following the advice to be patient and hopeful in the face of love's pain.
The Paradox of Hope: The poet is being told to be patient and hopeful, but the very act of loving someone creates a vulnerability that makes patience almost impossible.
The Heart as a Wounded Vessel: The image of the heart as a drop of blood carrying a thousand thoughts suggests a heart that is overwhelmed by emotion and pain.
The Futility of Advice: The poet seems to be questioning the validity of the advice to be patient, suggesting that it is easier said than done.
Interpretation
The Pain of Unrequited Love: This rubai likely speaks to the experience of unrequited love. The poet is grappling with the pain of longing for someone who may not feel the same way.
The Complexity of Emotions: The rubai highlights the complexity of human emotions. The poet is experiencing a range of emotions, from love and hope to despair and anger.
The Search for Meaning: The poet seems to be searching for meaning in their suffering. The repetition of the word "thought" suggests a mind that is constantly racing, trying to make sense of their situation.
In essence, this rubai captures the universal experience of heartbreak. Hafez beautifully expresses the emotional turmoil and confusion that often accompanies love, and the difficulty of finding solace in the face of pain.