Looking up the sky,

I saw the heavenly farm, and the sickle of the moon,

I thought of my harvest- off the seeds I had sown. 

I said to myself,

You slept away, the sun will rise soon!

You missed on your fortune!

And I heard back:

“Do not despair away- for the wasted days.

If you still reach- the heavenly heights, pure as Christ,

the sun may be eclipsed- in your rays of light!

And never hold on- to the turn of the stars!

They have led to wreckage – countless rulers, crowns!

Hafez, also beware! 

The flames of deceit- will burn all the yields- of the faiths and the creeds!

Get rid of your rags, the burdens you drag, bare yourself and go! 

~ Beloved Hafiz ~ 

From Ghazal No. 168

Translation: Maryam Dilmaghani, May 2012, Halifax