Ghazal 197

When sweethearts with such charm lovers cajole,
In believers’ faith they will poke a hole.

Wherever a flower begins to bloom,
Eyeballs inside the head begin to roll.

O handsome and young man of tall stature
Play the ball before you are a bat or pole.

The lovers choose and act without control,
You the playwright, and lovers play their role.

Beside the bloody tears that eyes shed
Pales even the thundercloud’s heavy toll.

When my love begins to sing, that song and sound
Angels in the heavens clap and extol.

Heartbroken, tearful eyes, I long for thee,
Why such cruelty must endure the soul?

Leave sorrows behind, listen to your heart,
Then separation becomes a mere droll.

In the darkness of the night, Hafiz, stroll,
Let the bright light of the morn become your goal.