Hafez – Ghazal 4

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Kindly tell the tender deer,

O morning breeze

I am wandering your desert and the wild countries.

Long live the sugar merchant, but why

Is he unkind to sweet lovers, the honey-bees?

Tender rose, pride in your goodness forbids

To ask the manic nightingale of his fantasies.

Only with gentle compassion can you trap the wise.

The wise bird from any snare simply flees.

I know not why there is no familiarity

With the tall, black eye, bright faced beauties.

When in company of friends, glass of wine in hand

Remember old companions who travel upon the breeze.

The only criticism that I can have of you;

For kindness, the beauties charge extortionate fees.

No wonder if in the heavens, as claims Hafiz;

Venus’ song brings Christ to dancing sprees.

No one is listening

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What comes out of the harp?

Music!

And there is a dance no hands or feet dance.

No fingers play it,

no ears hear it,

because the Holy One is the ear,

and the one listening too.

The great doors remain closed,

but the spring fragrance comes inside anyway,

and no one sees what takes place there.

Men and women who have entered

through both doors at once

will understand this poem.