Poems.

"First published in the United States of America by Sufism Reoriented 1996"--Title page verso.

Translated from Persian.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 89-91).

You are with the friend now -- A divine invitation -- You don't have to act crazy anymore -- We should talk about this problem -- And applaud -- Manic screaming -- My brilliant image -- Cast all your votes for dancing -- Come to my house -- What happens -- Someone who can kiss God -- Would you think it odd? -- Someone calls your name -- The jeweler -- Saints bowling in the mountains -- Exquisitely woven -- The moon is also busy -- We all sit in God's classroom -- For a while -- Why carry? -- Someone should start laughing -- A golden compass -- Zero -- Circles -- The great secret -- Wayfarer -- Of course things like that can happen -- The only one -- Every moment -- Saheb-e-Zaman -- Set this dry, boring place on fire! -- How does it feel to be a heart? -- If it is not too dark -- Awake awhile -- Dance, dervish dance -- You better start kissing me -- A barroom view of love -- I know the way you can get -- Spill the oil lamp! -- I am determined -- Let me near you tonight -- That's the whole idea -- Keeping watch -- You left a thousand women crazy -- Something invisible -- A tethered falcon -- That full, fragrant curl -- Maybe I could become a poet -- I took it as a sign -- Beautiful empty pages -- Pulling out the chair -- The only sin I know -- There is a wonderful game -- I am so glad -- Your beautiful parched, holy mouth -- I will hire you as a minstrel -- God's laughter -- Several times in the last week -- Laughter -- Tripping over joy -- Strange miracle -- Silence -- My sweet, crushed angel -- Skinning your knees on God -- It cuts the plow reins -- A wild, holy band -- Forever dance -- The life and work of Hafiz.

From the renowned translator of "The Gift," a rich collection that brings the great Sufi poet to Western readers To Persians, the poems of Hafiz are not "classical literature" from a remote past but cherished wisdom from a dear and intimate friend that continue to be quoted in daily life. With uncanny insight, Hafiz captures the many forms and stages of love. His poetry outlines the stages of the mystic's "path of love"-a journey in which love dissolves personal boundaries and limitations to join larger processes of growth and transformation. With this stunning collection, Ladinsky has succeeded brilliantly in translating the essence of one of Islam's greatest poetic and spiritual voices.

Translated from Persian.