Hafez
In these times the only untainted companions left
are a cup of pure wine and a book of ghazals.
Travel lightly, the pass of salvation is narrow.
Lift a glass, there is no substitute for this dear life.
I’m not the only one in the world afflicted with idleness;
the theologians also don’t practice what they preach.
On this turmoil-filled road the eye of reason
knows the world and its works are fleeting and worthless.
My heart longed for union with you
but on life’s road death plunders the caravans of hope.
Grasp the curl of a moon -faced one and stop babbling
that good luck and bad are the work of Venus and Saturn.
Our Hafiz is so drunk on the wine of pre-eternity
that in no epoch will you ever find him sober.