Ghazal 351

Next spring, giving up wine, I deny
Why fool myself? This I’ll never try.

Where is the minstrel, that all piety and mind
With the song of the harp and reed I defy.

In the noisy school, O heavy heart, O heavy heart
In the service of wine and love let sometime go by

Where is the fairness of life, bring me wine
I’ll tell the tale of many kings who now peacefully lie.

On Judgement Day, openly I show how I erred
Honest mistakes fear not, His mercy shall multiply.

Bring the messenger of dawn, distant midnight cry
With that majestic morning light will dissolve and fly.

This borrowed life, given to Hafiz to live and die
Will return to its owner, when His face identify.