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Poetry

TO TELL YOU NOW MY POOR HEART’S STATE

by Hafez

To tell you now my poor heart's state
                                                                    is what I long for
To hear the news that hearts relate
                                                                    is what I long for

Look how naive I am!  To keep from rivals' ears
A tale the winds disseminate
                                                                    is what I long for

To sleep a sweet and noble night with you, to sleep
Till morning and to rise up late
                                                                    is what I long for

And in the darkness of the night, to pierce the pearl
That is so fine and delicate
                                                                   is what I long for

O morning breeze, abet me now, tonight, because
To blossom as dawn lies in wait
                                                                   is what I long for

To use the lashes of my eyes, for honor's sake, 
To sweep the dust before your gate
                                                                   is what I long for

Like Hafez, in contempt of prigs, to make the kind
Of poems libertines create
                                                                   is what I long for