Ghazal 344: For a lifetime, in my seeking, I have been taking a step each day

عمریست تا من در طلب، هر روز گامی می‌زنم
دست شفاعت هر زمان در نیک نامی می‌زنم

بی ماه مهرافروز خود، تا بگذرانم روز خود
دامی به راهی می‌نهم، مرغی به دامی می‌زنم

اورنگ کو؟ گلچهر کو؟ نقش وفا و مهر کو؟
حالی من اندر عاشقی، داو تمامی می‌زنم

تا بو که یابم آگهی از سایهٔ سرو سهی
گلبانگ عشق از هر طرف، بر خوش خرامی می‌زنم

هرچند ک‌آن آرام دل، دانم نبخشد کام دل
نقش خیالی می‌کشم، فال دوامی می‌زنم

دانم سر آرد غصه را، رنگین برآرد قصه را
این آه خون افشان که من، هر صبح و شامی می‌زنم

با آن که از وی غایبم، وز می چو حافظ تایبم
در مجلس روحانیان، گه گاه جامی می‌زنم

For a lifetime, in my seeking, I have been taking a step each day;
at every moment I stretch out the hand of intercession for a good name.

Without my moon who kindles love, to get my day through
I lay a snare on some road and cast a bird into some snare.

Where is Aurang? Where is Golchehr? Where is the image of faith and love?
For the present, in love, it is I who am playing for the highest stake.

In the hope of getting some news of the shade of that straight cypress,
on every side I raise the cry of love at anyone who walks gracefully.

Although I know that the ease of my heart will not grant my heart's desire,
I draw a picture in fancy and cast a fal for something that lasts.

I know it will bring sorrow to an end and give the story a bright colour,
this blood-scattering sigh that I heave every morning and every evening.

Although I am absent from him, and like Hafez have repented of wine,
in the gathering of the spiritual I drink a cup now and then.

Interpretation of the fal

For years you have been moving step by step towards a goal and have still not reached it. In the absence of the one you want, you keep yourself busy with other things, but your heart is elsewhere. You know your wish may not be granted, yet you have kept your hope. These daily sighs and prayers will not be without effect, and the story will end well.