Ghazal 169

I see no friends around, whatever happened to every friend?
I see no-one I love, when did come to an end?

Water of life has turned dark, where is glorious Elias?
Flowers are all bleeding, whence the breeze which branches bend?

Nobody says that a friend has got the right to befriend
What has come of loyalty? Whatever happened to every friend?

For years no gem has been dug from the mine of loyalty
What happened to sunshine? And what about wind and rain’s trend?

This was the home of the Kings, and the land of the Kind-hearted
When did kindness end, and since when Kings pretend?

The ball of compassion and joy is now inside the field
Why is it that in this game still no players will attend?

Thousands of flowers are in full bloom, yet not a song
What happened to nightingales? Where did those thousands descend?

Venus is not making music any more, did all her instruments burn?
Nobody is in the mood, to whom do the wine-sellers tend?

Hafiz, secrets divine nobody knows, stay silent
Whom do you ask, why isn’t our turning fate now on the mend?