“For years my heart inquired of me‚”
BY HAFEZ
TRANSLATED BY DICK DAVIS
For years my heart inquired of me
Where Jamshid’s sacred cup might be,
And what was in its own possession
It asked from strangers, constantly;
Begging the pearl that’s slipped its shell
From lost souls wandering by the sea.
Last night I took my troubles to
The Magian sage whose keen eyes see
A hundred answers in the wine
Whose cup he, laughing, showed to me.
I questioned him, “When was this cup
That shows the world’s reality
Handed to you?” He said, “The day
Heaven’s vault of lapis lazuli
Was raised, and marvelous things took place
By Intellect’s divine decree,
And Moses’ miracles were made
And Sameri’s apostasy.”
He added then, “That friend they hanged
High on the looming gallows tree—
His sin was that he spoke of things
Which should be pondered secretly,
The page of truth his heart enclosed
Was annotated publicly.
But if the Holy Ghost once more
Should lend his aid to us we’d see
Others perform what Jesus did—
Since in his heartsick anguish he
Was unaware that God was there
And called His name out ceaselessly.”
I asked him next, “And beauties’ curls
That tumble down so sinuously,
What is their meaning? Whence do they come?”
“Hafez,” the sage replied to me,
“It’s your distracted, lovelorn heart
That asks these questions constantly.”
copyright ©️ Hāfez
*
Please read the translator’s notes
Notes:
Read the translator’s notes on this poem.
Source: Poetry (April 2008)
This poem recommends one look inward for the truth (the pearl one has lost);
the poem is typical of Hafez’s polyphonic/polysemous poetic strategies.
I like it. I hope you like it too.
Persian lyric poet Hafiz (born Khwāja Šamsu d-Dīn Muḥammad Hāfez-e Šīrāzī) grew up
in Shiraz. Very little is known about his life…
Hafiz’s tomb is in Musalla Gardens in Shiraz.
I wrote a ghazal once…for a prompt on Medium… and then recorded an audio for
my WP audience. Check it out if you like. My first ghazal.
Thanks for visiting.
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A beautiful share Selma
I thought so too. It really squeezed my heart. Thanks for reading, Sadje.
My pleasure. Someone gifted us the poetry of Hafez in Persian. I have it in my book shelf but can’t understand Persian.
It’s so beautiful. I don’t understand Persian… 😉
So I’m glad when it’s written I. A language I do.
Bless you my friend. Good night.
Thanks 😊
Such lovely & thoughtful poems. And it was beautiful to hear your voice in the recording.
Thanks, Bee. I appreciate you reading and listening Xoxo
Inspiring words use in poem. I heard again your audio and clip recalling remember, I remember. I like.
Hehe. You’re the best. Thanks. 🙏
Thanks, Selma!
what an amazing and inspirational poem. yes, it’s all inside us if we look there
It’s inside. 😉
👏🏽 👏🏽 💕
words penetrate deep and touch the soul, dear Selma❤️
Happy for this comment. So happy.
Happy Friday, dear Cindy.
🍈 🍉 🤗
awww yes, Happy Fun Fri-Yayyy to you too Selma.. I’ll miss you for a bit💓
Take a big sombrero. Please. Enjoy
Thanks my friend❣️
Wow !!!
Thank you for sharing this poem Selma ❣️
Absolutely beautiful lines.
Isn’t it? I thought so too. Happy to know you liked it my sweet Maggie. Blessings.
Yes Selma thank you again .
Many blessings back to you 🙏
Such a poignant and impassioned write, dearest Selma. ♡
I’m so glad you liked it to Cara Mia. Bless you. 🍉
So… I saw this on Instagram and thought of you. Talking to your plants and all. I do the exact same thing. And have other symptoms of GDD. What is GDD, you want to know, right? I just found out.
If you don’t have IG ask someone who does to open this and show you.
I think we both have GDD.
Or am I the only one here who suffers so.
GDD https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9Houikovr4/?igsh=MW9tMjFsNmE5NW1hdg==
Bless you. Good night. 😴
a beautiful share, Selma….thank you 🤍
So very pleased you liked it Destiny dear. Be well. Blessings
my pleasure…and blessings your way too🤍🙏
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Thanks
Hafez and Rumi – two of my favorites.
Wow. Yes. We are better for this. Great masters. 👏🏽 🤗
Hi Selma, thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
It’s my pleasure. So glad you appreciate it, Robbie. Xo