Ghazal 80 | Hafiz of Shiraz | Ali Salami

B

lame not the libertine, O zealot of pure spirit,

For, the sins of others upon you will not be writ.

Be my works good or evil, beware Satan, your foe;

All men will eventually reap in life what they sow.

Everyone seeks the Friend, sober or drunk with wine,

Everywhere is home to love, be it mosque or shrine.

In submission, I lay head at the tavern gate and lie,

If my enemy cannot discern this, better he die!

Of the Divine Mercy, seek not to make me despair!

Can you see through the veil who’s evil or fair?

I am not the first to stray from the pious road,

For, my father too lost his sweet Edenic abode.

     HAFIZ, should you seize a cup when the Hour is nigh,

     From the tavern gate, they’ll bear you right to the Sky.

©Ali Salami 2017