Hafez · Ghazal 270 · Don't ask
درد عشقی کشیده‌ام که مپرسزهر هجری چشیده‌ام که مپرس
گشته‌ام در جهان و آخر کاردلبری برگزیده‌ام که مپرس
آن چنان در هوای خاک درشمی‌رود آب دیده‌ام که مپرس
من به گوش خود از دهانش دوشسخنانی شنیده‌ام که مپرس
سوی من لب چه می‌گزی که مگویلب لعلی گزیده‌ام که مپرس
بی تو در کلبه گدایی خویشرنج‌هایی کشیده‌ام که مپرس
همچو حافظ غریب در ره عشقبه مقامی رسیده‌ام که مپرس
Some experiences are too large for words, and this ghazal knows it: pain, longing and joy each end in the same phrase, don't ask. You may be carrying something you cannot easily explain to others, and that is all right. Hafez has travelled far and suffered, yet he arrives at a place of wonder, having heard the beloved's voice with his own ears. What you have lived through has brought you somewhere. You need not justify it to anyone; honour it quietly, and trust where the road has led you.
I have suffered such a pain of love, don't ask;
I have tasted such a poison of separation, don't ask.
I have wandered through the world, and in the end
I have chosen such a beloved, don't ask.
So much, in longing for the dust of her door,
do the tears run from my eyes, don't ask.
With my own ears, last night, from her own mouth,
I heard such words, don't ask.
Why do you bite your lip at me, as if to say "Say nothing"?
I have bitten such a ruby lip, don't ask.
Without you, in my own beggar's hut,
I have endured such hardships, don't ask.
Like Hafez, a stranger on the road of love,
I have reached such a station, don't ask.