Hafez

Loading Likes...

MILD BREEZE OF MORNING, GENTLY TELL

That errant, elegant gazelle

She’s made me wander far and wide

About the hills and countryside.

My sugar-lipped, sweet girl – oh, may

You live forever and a day! –

Where is your kindness?

Come now, show it

To your sweet-talking parrot-poet.

My rose, does vanity restrain you?

Does beauty’s arrogance detain you

From seeking out this nightingale

Who wildly sings, to no avail?

With gentleness and kindness lies

The surest way to win the wise,

Since birds that have become aware

Of ropes and traps are hard to snare.

When you sit safely with your love,

Sipping your wine, be mindful of

Those struggling lovers who still stray,

Wind-tossed, upon their weary way.

I don’t know why she isn’t here,

Why her tall presence won’t appear,

Or why the full moon of her face,

And her black eyes, avoid this place.

No fault can be imputed to

Your beauty’s excellence, or you,

Except that there is not a trace

Of truth or kindness in your face.

When Hafez speaks, it’s no surprise If

Venus dances in the skies

And leads across the heavens’ expanse

Lord Jesus in the whirling dance.