What I Got from Hafez

I had the opportunity to read Ghazaliyat of Hafiz where you can find poem(Ghazal) in Farsi and English.

In the Persian tradition, whenever one faces a difficulty or a fork in the road, Or even if one has a general question in mind, one would hold that question in mind, and then ask
the Oracle of Shiraz Hafiz for guidance.
More often than not,
Hafiz, in his own enigmatic way would sing to the questioner and through the song, would get the questioner to look in the mirror of his/her soul.
Upon reflection in the mirror of Hafiz's Ghazal one would be inspired with an answer, guidance or a direction.
Traditionally,
the first line upon which the eyes of the reader fall, would give the answer to the direct question, and the rest of the Ghazal would give further clarification.And let's read together:



When sorrows upon seekers' hearts settle, will not rattle
When beauty with comfort starts battle, will unsettle.

When to fate they submit their mind, themselves will bind
Finally, when Beloved's beautiful curls find, put egos behind.

If they come to us a moment, and sit near, disappear
Yet when joy in their hearts will appear, becomes clear.

If they understand that a lonely tear is but a gem that is dear
With a love so sincere, face early-risers they fear.

When laughter like red rubies to my eyes cling, my tears bring
From my face, when hidden secretes spring, joyously they sing.

The healing balm of the pain of love is not easy for sure, and is pure
Those who use their mind to find such a cure, many failure will endure

Those who climbed fortune's ladder wrung after wrung, were strung and hung
And the ones who in praise sing Hafiz's song, are thought wrong.

Those favored by this spirit, noble and pure, tempt and allure
For love's pain if a cure they must secure, then failure will endure.

© Shahriar Shahriari
Los Angeles, Ca
October 16, 1999


and the one I had in my mind:



O heart, the pain of love burned once again
Beloved departed and drove the lover insane.
O flowers, you played your magic tricks
Alas that the drunk the sober shall reign.
My tears were my friends, since Beloved stayed away
My unkind fate from helping would refrain.
At dawn Beloved's house's bright glow
The lover's wounded heart would strain and pain.
O bearer give me a cup, since the hidden hand that writes
Has plans, access to which nobody can gain.
The artist of firmaments, earth and spheres
Nobody knows what plans it would feign.
Burning love, Hafiz's heart would entertain
Beloved from old times this poor lover has slain.

© Shahriar Shahriari
Los Angeles, Ca
January 20, 2000