Ghazal 358: For the grief of the times, to which I can see no shore

غم زمانه که هیچش کران نمی‌بینم
دواش جز می چون ارغوان نمی‌بینم

به ترک خدمت پیر مغان نخواهم گفت
چرا که مصلحت خود در آن نمی‌بینم

ز آفتاب قدح ارتفاع عیش بگیر
چرا که طالع وقت آن چنان نمی‌بینم

نشان اهل خدا عاشقیست، با خود دار
که در مشایخ شهر این نشان نمی‌بینم

بدین دو دیدهٔ حیران من هزار افسوس
که با دو آینه رویش عیان نمی‌بینم

قد تو تا بشد از جویبار دیدهٔ من
به جای سرو جز آب روان نمی‌بینم

در این خمار کسم جرعه‌ای نمی‌بخشد
ببین که اهل دلی در میان نمی‌بینم

نشان موی میانش که دل در او بستم
ز من مپرس که خود در میان نمی‌بینم

من و سفینهٔ حافظ که جز در این دریا
بضاعت سخن درفشان نمی‌بینم

For the grief of the times, to which I can see no shore,
I see no remedy but wine red as the Judas tree.

I will not speak of leaving the service of the Magian elder,
for I do not see my own good in that.

Take the measure of pleasure from the sun of the goblet,
for I do not see the star of the hour as being so favourable.

The mark of the people of God is to be a lover; keep that for yourself,
for in the shaykhs of the city I do not see this mark.

A thousand regrets for these two bewildered eyes of mine,
that with two mirrors I do not see his face plainly.

Since your stature went from the bank of the stream of my eye,
in place of the cypress I see nothing but running water.

In this hangover no one grants me a single draught;
look, I see no one of true heart among them.

Of the trace of his waist, fine as a hair, to which I bound my heart,
do not ask me, for I do not see myself in the matter at all.

I and the ship of Hafez, for except in this sea
I see no stock of speech that scatters pearls.

Interpretation of the fal

The grief of the times has no end and the hour is not very favourable: keep yourself going with small joys. Do not part from your supporter and guide, for that is not in your interest. The mark of people of God is love, not claims. The one you wanted has gone from your sight, and you find no help from anyone. In this state, take refuge in good words and in art.