O beautiful wine-bearer, bring forth the cup and put it to my lips
Path of love seemed easy at first, what came was many hardships.
With its perfume, the morning breeze unlocks those beautiful locks
The curl of those dark ringlets, many hearts to shreds strips.
In the house of my Beloved, how can I enjoy the feast
Since the church bells call the call that for pilgrimage equips.
With wine color your robe, one of the old Magi’s best tips
Trust in this traveler’s tips, who knows of many paths and trips.
The dark midnight, fearful waves, and the tempestuous whirlpool
How can he know of our state, while ports house his unladen ships.
I followed my own path of love, and now I am in bad repute
How can a secret remain veiled, if from every tongue it drips?
If His presence you seek, Hafiz, then why yourself eclipse?
Stick to the One you know, let go of imaginary trips.
© Shahriar Shahriari
Los Angeles, Ca
April 9, 1999
Beautiful Ghazal on life and love having thrilling expression. Great imaginary poem, I like it. Thanks for sharing.
Describes the situations of life so well. I love the last two lines most- 'If His presence you seek, Hafiz, then why yourself eclipse? Stick to the One you know, let go of imaginary trips.'
" Path of love seemed easy first, what came was many hardships" . A great truth revealed.in a fantastic Gazal.
You are amazing. Your words steal my thoughts and they take me to a better place. Outstanding poetry.
I'm uncertain why so many bother leaving such bland, uninformative comments. I love poetry, I love reading through the comments WHEN they shed some kind of light or insight into the structure, history, beauty of the poem. When I learn different things from comments and am able to reread the poem and see it in a new way. So I haven't a clue why so many write: Great poem, beautifully written, thanks. Why would people write this over and over and over under every poem, call me a snob, but just don't write anything or put effort into it. WHy? Seriously, someone who writes these comments, why would you write, great poem, congratulations? Congratulations to whom? The poet has been dead for 1000 years! ? ! ? ! Seriously, Shirazi has not roamed this earth in human form or 1000 years. Why are you congratulating him? Is it the point system? I don't know, but just put some thought into your comment or just don't leave one. I come here to be educated, we're all busy, really thoughtful, enlightening comments get buried and never read under 20 good job, wow! comments. I don't understand it. I'm sorry if anyone's feelings are hurt.
I've been thinking along these same lines and couldn't agree with you more. The only explanation for this type of comment is that folks submitting them know that they are scoring points for each comment posted, no matter how lame.
a lovely poem of life's tribulations?