Some Hafiz Poems

[UndertheOcean]

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?
The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move
that the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, "I Surrender!"

Whereas, my dear,
I'm afraid you still think

You have a thousand serious moves.

~Hafiz

[UndertheOcean]

1. ..

You have
not danced so badly, my dear,
trying to hold hands with the Beautiful One.

You have waltzed with great style, my sweet, crushed angel,
to have ever neared God's heart at all.

Our Partner is notoriously difficult to follow, and even His
best musicians are not always easy to hear.

So what if the music has stopped for a while.
So what if the price of admission to the Divine is out of reach tonight.

So what, my sweetheart, if you lack the ante to gamble for real love.

The mind and the body are famous for holding the heart ransom,
but Hafiz knows the Beloved's eternal habits. Have patience,
for He will not be able to resist your longings
and charms for long.

You have not danced so badly, my dear,
trying to kiss the Magnificent
One.

You have actually waltzed with tremendous style,
my sweet, O my sweet,
crushed
angel.

Hafiz

[UndertheOcean]

2. ..

Forget every idea of right and wrong
Any classroom has ever taught you

Because
An empty heart, a tormented mind,
Unkindness, jealousy and fear

Are always the testimony
You have been completely fooled!

Turn your back on those
Who would imprison your wondrous spirit
With deceit and lies.

Come, join the honest company
Of the King’s beggars-
Those gamblers, scoundrels and divine clowns
And those astonishing fair courtesans
Who need divine love every night.

Come join the courageous
Who have no choice
But to bet the entire world
That indeed,
Indeed, God is Real.

I will lead you into the Circle
Of the Beloved’s cunning thieves,
Those playful royal rogues-
The ones you can trust for true guidance-
Who can aid you
In this Blessed Calamity of life.

Look at the Perfect One
At the Circle’s Center:

He spins and Whirls like a Golden Compass,
Beyond all that is rational

To show this dear world

That Everything,
Everything in Existence
Does point to God.

Hafiz