Ghazal 328: Prayer of Love and Death
~ by Hafiz, translated from Persian by A.Z. Foreman
Send news we’ll meet. From this life to You there I will arise!
I’m heaven’s bird, and from the world’s cruel snare I will arise.
I swear it by Your love! If You but call me as Your slave,
From sovereignty of time and space, I swear I will arise.
Send down, O Lord, the rainfall from Your guiding cloud, for soon
Like the wind-scattered dust blown everywhere, I will arise.
Come sit beside my dust with wine and music. Dancing up
From my grave’s prison, drawn by scents You bear, I will arise.
Arise, my love. Regale me with Your stature and Your grace.
Capering from the world and life I wear, I will arise.
Although I’m old, if You hold me tight in your arms all night,
Then from Your side, young in the dawning air, I will arise.
The day I die grant but a breath of time to see Your face.
As Hafiz then, from this world’s when and where, I will arise.
***
Return to Thoughtful Thursday Poetry Corner
