The Nightingales are Drunk by Hafez.

Translated by D. Davis

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Poem Eleven.

Part 1 of 2.

Life's garden flourishes when your
Bright countenance is here.
Come back! Without your face's bloom
The spring has left the year.

If tears course down like raindrops now,
It's no surprise, it's right -
My life's flashed by in longing for you
As lightning splits the night.

Seize these few moments while we've still
Time for our promised meeting,
Since no one knows what life will bring
And life, my dear, is fleeting.

How long shall we enjoy our dawns'
Sweet sleep, our morning wine?
Wake up, and think of this! Since life's
Not yours for long, or mine.

She passed by yesterday, but gave
Me not a glance, not one;
My wretched heart, you've witnessed nothing
As life's passed by, and gone.