Hafez

Tear Open the Shroud

You the dawn and I
the candle of the night retreat!
Smile as you watch me
surrender my soul.

Your hair has stained my heart
so deep, my tomb
will be a bed of violets
when I pass away.

I open my eye to you
on the threshold of hope,
that you'll grant me one more glance
as you cast me from your vision.

How can I thank you enough,
o sorrows, bless you,
when I was alone
you stood by my side.

I am the slave of the pupil
of my eye. From its black heart
when I tell the pain of love
it scatters a thousand tears.

This idol of ours displays her splendor
to every gaze, but the look
I cast from every side
no one sees.

If she like the breeze should pass
the grave of Hafiz, longing,
from within that narrow chamber
I'll tear open the shroud.

separam 4/8/05 msells

Set Your Foot to Dance Him Farewell

The breath of the morning breeze
will fall, fragrant of musk

The world grown old
will be young again

The Syrte tree will give to the lily
its crimson cup, to the anemone
the narcissus will gaze
black fire.

If you put off for tomorrow, heart,
the joy of today

Who will secure you the funds
for the fidelity trust of the day after?

If from mosque to tavern I stumble
don't complain,

Long is the council of admonition,
Time there will be.

To this plane of existence, for you alone
Hafez comes.

Set your foot to dance him farewell
Soon he'll be passing.

khahad shod 4/8/05 msells

Angels at the Tavern Door

Last night I saw the angels
knocking at the tavern door.
From the clay of Adam
they shaped a chalice.

From behind the veils
of the sanctum of the most high and pure
they passed me a shot of strong wine
as I walked the dusty road.

The heavens could not bear the trust.
So they cast the fateful lot
drawing the name
of madman me.

Forgive the seventy two
warring factions all!
They missed the pass of truth
and stumbled into fable.

Praise God that peace
now reigns between us,
the huris bursting into dance
and drink in celebration.

The flame that makes
the candle smile is no fire.
Fire consumes the moth's
delicate frame entire.

Since the pen first combed
the locks of speech, none like Hafez
has drawn the veil,
from the face of reflection.

paymane zadand 4/9/05 msells

Noah is with You

Lost Joseph is coming home
to Canaan one day.
This shack of sorrow
will blossom with flowers.

Don't give in, sad heart,
your time will come
Your restless mind
will still to peace some day.

When the spring of life throws
itself upon the meadow throne
you'll draw down around you,
sweet song bird, a canopy of roses.

Though today and tomorrow
the spheres spin contrary
to our desire, they won't
turn the same way wrong forever.

Don't lose hope, heh!
You haven't yet seen
the love game unfolding
the other side of mystery's curtain.

As the tide tears the moorings
of your existence, heart, away.
With Noah your boatman
with you in the flood, don't grieve.

If you set out longing
on the pilgrimage path,
and the jinn-thorns
scratch and tear,

And your station is perilous
and your destination far away,
no road goes on
endless forever!

Though space and spies and the get-between
may hold you from the one
you love, the spinner
of destiny knows it all. Don't grieve.

In this dim corner, Hafez,
While you pray through the night
and read Qur'an, don't grieve.
The dark will fall away.

gham makhur
4/8/05 m sells