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October 6th
2015

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corner Homoerotic Poems - Muhammad al-Nawaji bin Hasan bin Ali bin Othman
also known as Shams al-din Hâfiz i-Shirazi (1325/26 - 1389/90) Persia
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With a flagon in his hand

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With a flagon in hand, singing a song and laughing, wine inside;
Sweating all over, hair everywhere, garment torn down the side,
The eye looking for battle, and mocking lips mouthing "O no,"
Last night at midnight You came to my pillow, sat by my side.

To my ear You bent Your head and said in a sad soft whisper:
"My poor mad lover are you awake, or do you sleep?" You sighed.
If a wise man is given late at night such a drink, this is the Fate;
Unfaithful to Love he would be if he praised wine, then denied.

Go away preacher, stop ranting about us drinking leftover dregs;
Only this way was given us, morning before Creation's clay was fired.
Whatever You have poured into your cup, we've swallowed it all;
Either the wine of drunkards or the elixir of Paradise, we tried.

The laughter of wine in the cup and long curling hair of the Beloved:
How many vows of repentance, like Hâfiz's have they untied?

(Smith transl. 1986, poem 44)

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With a flagon in his hand (another version)

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His mop of hair tangled, sweating, laughing and drunk,
Shirt torn open, singing poems, flask in hand,
His eyes spoiling for trouble, his lips mouthing "Alas!"
So last night at midnight he came and sat at my pillow.
He bent his head to my ear and said, sadly,
"O, my ancient lover, are you sleeping?"

The seeker to whom they give such a cup at dawn
Is an infidel to love if he will not worship the wine.
O hermit, go and do not quibble with those who drink the dregs,
For on the eve of creation this was all they gave to us.
What he poured in our cup we drank,
Whether the mead of Heaven, or the wine of drunkenness.

The cup's smile and the wine boy's knotted curl
Have broken many vows of chastity, like that of Hafiz.

(Ghazl No. 10 from the Divan of Hafiz)

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Ghazal 01

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O beautiful wine-bearer, bring forth the cup and put it to my lips
Path of love seemed easy at first, what came was many hardships.
With its perfume, the morning breeze unlocks those beautiful locks
The curl of those dark ringlets, many hearts to shreds strips.
In the house of my Beloved, how can I enjoy the feast
Since the church bells call the call that for pilgrimage equips.
With wine color your robe, one of the old Magi’s best tips
Trust in this traveler’s tips, who knows of many paths and trips.
The dark midnight, fearful waves, and the tempestuous whirlpool
How can he know of our state, while ports house his unladen ships.
I followed my own path of love, and now I am in bad repute
How can a secret remain veiled, if from every tongue it drips?
If His presence you seek, Hafiz, then why yourself eclipse?
Stick to the One you know, let go of imaginary trips.

Translation © Shahriar Shahriari - Los Angeles, Ca - April 9, 1999

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Absolutely Clear

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Don't surrender your loneliness
So quickly.
Let it cut more deep.

Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can.

Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice
So tender,

My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.

From: http://www.poemhunter.com/

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Ghazal 02

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Where is sensible action, & my insanity whence?
See the difference, it is from where to whence.
From the church & hypocritical vestments, I take offence
Where is the abode of the Magi, & sweet wine whence?
For dervishes, piety and sensibility make no sense
Where is sermon and hymn, & the violin's music whence.
Upon seeing our friend, our foes put up their defense
Where is a dead lantern, & the candle of the sun whence?
My eye-liner is the dust of your door and fence
Where shall I go, tell me, you command me whence?
Take your focus from your chin to the trap on the path hence,
Where to O heart, in such hurry you go whence?
May his memory of union be happy and intense
Where are your amorous gestures, & your reproach whence?
Make not restlessness & insomnia, Hafiz's sentence
What is rest, which is patience, and sleep whence?

Translation © Shahriar Shahriari - Los Angeles, Ca - April 9, 1999

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Rubaiyat 01

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The only vision I have is your sight
The only thing I follow is your light.
Everyone finds his repose in sleep,
Sleep from my eyes has taken flight.

From: http://www.poemhunter.com/

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Rubaiyat 04

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One, beautiful and full of grace
Mirror in hand, grooming her face
My handkerchief I offered, she smiled,
Is this gift also part of the chase?

From: http://www.poemhunter.com/

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Rubaiyat 05

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I put my arms around your waist,
A lover’s embrace to taste.
From your resolve it’s obvious
All my efforts will go to waste.

From: http://www.poemhunter.com/

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