Category Archives: Hafiz

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gave up the ghost

May 20th

A Year With Hafiz
“Asking for the Hand of Marriage”

When someone becomes quiet in this world,
really quiet, those who aren’t may turn to
them, even from behind a wall or from a great
distance.

It is like a touch they, the unstill, wanted…
a touch that can come from the invisible, come
from an intimate region of the benevolent spirit
in someone in true peace.

Unknown to most, one asks for the hand of
marriage wherever their gaze falls.

I have to stop myself here; sometimes I just
cannot help but to cheer something that
has never quite been put in words before, as
that last line…about a “marriage” we always
seek.

That is all I can say now. If there is something
in your mind obstructing your vision, let
someone who can see…read all this to you.

The sunflower’s heart is not detectable to most,
but you know what it does. It so gladly turns,
offering its body toward its lover–the sun
all day long.

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In Case Things Really Got Hot

She said I could touch her all I wanted,

a beautiful woman I met.

That inspired me to develop my spirit body more,

which was less intimidated by time and space,

and had a lot more stamina, too…

in case things really got hot!

I thought she would have acted more surprised

and delighted

when I finally kissed her with all my passion.

but the moon was more poised than I knew.

-Hafiz

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Day Sky

Let us be like

Two falling stars in the day sky.

Let no one know of our sublime beauty

As we hold hands with God

And burn

Into a sacred existence that defies—

That surpasses

Every description of ecstasy

Hafiz (2003-01-28). The Subject Tonight Is Love: 60 Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz (Compass) (Kindle Locations 301-304). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.

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Hafiz – Why You Stare at the Mountain

Why You Stare at the Mountain

What does real love do? It stills the longing, for real
love is crowned, and then all become its willing slave.

Love creates a home wherever it is. Love is really
never in want. True love is always in a state of found.

Homeless one is, whenever the heart is not alive.
Realizing that, I sing the way I do. A bird’s melody
can grant a pardon to vision that is obstructed.

I know why you stare at the mountain’s beauty,
for she reminds you of something vital in your self.
And natural desires to explore her heights are just
there to help you reach your own summit.

Once, while I was looking at the sky, it spoke, saying,
“Hafiz, I am surprised at your admiration for me,
for dear you are my root. With a ruby in your purse
why wish to hold a clay coin?”

I like this poem, its weave. It is a basket where
something has been placed for you. Read this again,
slowly, it may become more revealed.

A problem has arisen. I can’t leave right now, you
feel too close. Do you mind if we kiss for an hour?

—Hafiz, trans. Daniel Ladinsky, or Daniel Ladinsky, trans. Hafiz
(source: Suj & Google Books)

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Hafiz – Wish You Were Here

WISHING YOU WERE HERE

Those kisses you sent, I found them wandering
around the house. They were acting a little
lost, not knowing exactly where I was.

I was busy upstairs. But now we are all having
tea and talking about you, and wishing you were here.

And they imparted all you intended. They did
well.

One more thing: I have seen you at your best and at your worst; still you are always welcome near me.

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Hafiz: So You Can Plant More Wheat

*****

So You Can Plant More Wheat

I would like to remove some rock

from your field

so that you can plant more wheat.

And those hills I see that are part of you,

I have some trees in mind for them

and flowering grasses,

so that you won’t erode,

when the elements pour.

Are we not lovers?

Cannot I speak to you like this?

Do I need to ask your permission

to hitch up my ox

and sing to him as I improve

your vast terrain?

The title to your heart came to my office.

In looking at it a great interest

in your soul developed.

The care of your soul

became mine.

So I would like to remove some stones

from your meadows;

then an orchard you could grow,

and the world,

and the world then,

will come to taste

your riches.

Hafiz

via calendar.

via calendar.