Hafez’s tomb was first constructed in 1452, around sixty years after his death by the Timurid governor of Shiraz, and has been renovated and expanded many times since, often in response to divination performed with his Divan. The tomb is adorned with calligraphic renditions of these ghazals of his, which happen to be among my…
She walks in beauty like the night…
One of my favorite English poems of all time is reminiscent of Sufi poetry about Layla, whose name means “night,” and who symbolizes the beloved Divine Essence/Essence of the Self. Lord Byron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_zCOJOgd4U She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet…
This Love is not a River…
Two of my favorite Fado songs, by two of my favorite singers, Cristina Branco and Carminho: Translation: This love is not a river It has the vastness of the sea The green dance of the waves Sobbing in my eyes. I tried to forget the words Unspoken between us But hanging over the silence On…
Hafez—If you pass by my grave…
Two of my favorite poems of Hafez; legend is that scholars decided to settle a debate over whether or not Hafez should receive a proper Muslim burial by performing divination with his poetry, the last couplet of the second poem emerged and Hafez was given a proper burial and his shrine has remained a site…