Literal Translation: I've wasted a lifetime in pursuit of my desire, And what benefit do I have from the celestial sphere? Whoever I told that I loved you, Became my enemy. Alas, what a fate I have! Poetic and Interpretive Translation: I've spent a lifetime chasing after dreams, Yet fate's …

Literal Translation: In the longing for your kiss and beside you, I died. And from the longing for your juicy ruby lips, I died. I won't make a long story, I'll make it short. Come back, come back, for I died from waiting for you. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Yearning …

Literal Translation: Do not take your lips away from the lip of the cup, So that you may fill the world's desire from the lip of the cup. In the cup of the world, both bitterness and sweetness are mixed, Seek this from your beloved's lips, and that from the …

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 …

English translation: A moon-faced, unique in beauty, pure and bright, When she sheds her garment she who has black mole on face, Within her breast her heart can be seen through her fair skin, Like a smooth stone, sparkling in clear streams.

Literal Translation: O friend, draw your heart from the enemy's cruelty. Draw clear wine with a beautiful face. Untie your collar with the people of art. And completely withdraw your skirt from the unworthy. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: My friend, shield your heart from foes’ unkindness, And savor wine, served …

Literal Translation: Your eye, whose master is the magic of Babel, O Lord, may its enchantments fade from memory. That ear which has looped itself to the ear of beauty, May it be adorned with a pearl from Hafez's poetry. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Your eyes, with magic that outshines …

Literal Translation: A man asked the one who broke the gate of Khaybar About the secrets of generosity from the master Qambar. If you seek the grace of God sincerely, O Hafez, Ask about its source from the cupbearer of the Kawthar. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: A man inquired of …

Literal Translation: I clung to his hyacinth locks, out of need, I said, "Please mend the affairs of this lovesick one." He said, "Take my lips, but leave my curls alone," "In sweet pleasure, not in a long life." Poetic and Interpretive Translation: In desperation, I clung to his flowing …

English Translation: Literal Translation: I hung on her hyacinth locks out of need, I said, "Please make something of this lovesick one." She said, "Take my lip and leave my curl," "In a pleasant life, not in a long life." Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Desperate, I clung to her flowing …

Literal Translation: Do not withhold the love of your face from my sorrowful one, Do not withhold it from the weary, wine-loving rogue. As a Sufi like you knows the customs of travelers, Do not take many points from the roguish people. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Please don’t deny your …

Literal Translation: A flood has engulfed the ruins of life, And begun to fill the cup of life. Wake up, O master, for the porter of time Will happily carry away your belongings from the house of life. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Time's flood has swept through life's decay, Filling …