Ghazal 164 Where Have All the Lovers Gone?
I find no love in anyone. Where now have all the lovers gone?
When did the days of friendship end? Why have the friends of men withdrawn?
Life's water's blackened. When will Khizr come lead us back to prosperous green?
The red has bled out of the rose. Where are the winds of spring and dawn?
No one now says "our comrades have a right to our support." What happened
To friends who did and loved what's right? Where have the rightful lovers gone?
The mines of gracious adamance have yielded not one gem in years.
Where is the strain of breeze and rain? Where now the beaming of the sun?
This was a noble lovers' city, and this land a realm of kindness.
When was the rule of kindness ended? How were noble men undone?
The ball of generous statesmanship rolls on an empty polo-field.
None enters the arena. What's become of every champion?
A thousand roses bloomed and not one songbird rose to serenade.
What hushed a hundred nightingales? What happened to that wondertone?
No music in the spheres. Has Venus in her mourning burned her lute?
None know the joys of drinking feasts. How are the men who drink alone?
Hafiz! Nobody can divine the heavens' mysterious plays, so hush.
Just who're you asking how time's wheels in this new revolution run?