Geronimo by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) You might hear the beautiful shout of “Geronimo” from a lover who has just dove from a cliff and is heading full speed into the Ocean — into the Beloved. And of course there will always be lots of gab along the shore from those who are drawn to G... »
A Still Cup by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) For God To make love, For the divine alchemy to work, The Pitcher needs a still cup. Why Ask Hafiz to say Anything more about Your most Vital Requirement? Hits: 6 »
An Astronomical Question by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) What Would Happen if God leaned down And gave you a full wet Kiss? Hafiz Doesn’t mind answering astronomical questions Like that: You would surely start Reciting all day, inebriated, Rogue-poems Like This. Hits: 4 »
Covers Her Face with Both Hands by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) What We speak Becomes the house we live in. Who will want to sleep in your bed If the roof leaks Right above It? Look what happens when the tongue Cannot say to kindness, “I will be your slave.” The moon Covers her face with both hands And c... »
Everywhere by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Running Through the streets Screaming, Throwing rocks through windows, Using my own head to ring Great bells, Pulling out my hair, Tearing off my clothes, Tying everything I own To a stick, And setting it on Fire. What else can Hafiz do tonight To celebrate the ... »
How Could a Lover Fall by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) What could have caused your grip to weaken that allowed creation to be? How could a lover fall to his death from the arms of infinite strength? How active you are in the mind sustaining such a great wall that the sun can cast a frightening shadow the... »
I Have Learned So Much by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) I Have Learned So much from God That I can no longer Call Myself A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim A Buddhist, a Jew. The Truth has shared so much of itself With me That I can no longer call myself A man, a woman, an angel Or even pure Soul. Love has Be... »
Laughing at the Word Two by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Only The Illumined One Who keeps Seducing the formless into form Had the charm to win my Heart. Only a Perfect One Who is always Laughing at the word TWO Can make you know Of Love. Hits: 6 »
Love is the Funeral Pyre by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Love is The funeral pyre Where I have laid my living body. All the false notions of myself That once caused fear, pain, Have turned to ash As I neared God. What has risen From the tangled web of thought and sinew Now shines with jubilation Through ... »
No Conflict by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) No Conflict When the flute is playing For then I see every movement emanates From God’s Holy Dance. Hits: 4 »
The Great Religions by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) The Great religions are the Ships, Poets the life Boats. Every sane person I know has jumped Overboard. That is good for business Isn’t it Hafiz? Hits: 2 »
That Magnificent Storm by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Sitting here Loving like this Alone again In God’s valley After that magnificent storm Of Your presence just Passed. I am like an elegant cypress Whose face and form Your beauty Ruined. Why not Accuse You of infidelity Or much Worse When every ... »
Reverence by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Because There is nothing Outside of my Master’s body I try To show reverence To all things. Because There is nothing Inside of my Master’s body I am saved From all reason And surrender understanding. No wonder, Hafiz, It has been Unusual For a smile t... »
The Hatcheck Girl by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Why Are there So few in the court Of a perfect Saint? Because Every time you are near Him You have to leave pieces Of your Ego With The hatcheck Girl Who won’t give them Back– O O O U C H . Hits: 5 »
That Lamp That Needs No Oil by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) I have made the journey into Nothing. I have lit that lamp that Needs no oil. I have cried great streams Of emerald crystals On my scarred knees, begging love To never again let me hear from Any world The sound of my own name, Even from the voic... »
The Source by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) God has never really spoken, though a thought once crossed His mind. It is the echo of divine silence we hear the birds sing, and that is the source of all we see and touch. Hits: 2 »
Why Aren’t We Screaming Drunks by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) The sun once glimpsed God’s true nature And has never been the same. Thus that radiant sphere Constantly pours its energy Upon this earth As does He from behind The veil. With a wonderful God like that Why isn’t everyone a s... »
Today by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) I Do not Want to step so quickly Over a beautiful line on God’s palm As I move through the earth’s Marketplace Today. I do not want to touch any object in this world Without my eyes testifying to the truth That everything is My Beloved. Something has happ... »
Then Winks by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) Everything is clapping today. Light, Sound, Motion, All movement. A rabbit I pass pulls a cymbal From a hidden pocket Then winks. This causes a few planets and I To go nuts And start grabbing each other. Someone sees this, Calls a Shrink, Tries to get me Committ... »
The Thousand-Stringed Instrument by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) The heart is The thousand-stringed instrument. Our sadness and fear come from being Out of tune with love. All day long God coaxes my lips To speak, So that your tears will not stain His green dress. It is not that the Friend is vain, It is... »
What the Hell by Hafiz (Daniel Ladinsky) The Real love I always keep a secret. All my words Are sung outside Her window, For when She lets me in I take a thousand oaths of silence. But, Then She says, O, then God says, “What the hell, Hafiz, Why not give the whole world My Address.” Hits: 2 »
Tanto gentile e tanto onesta pare – Dante Alighieri Tanto gentile e tanto onesta pare la donna mia quand’ella altrui saluta, ch’ogne lingua deven tremando muta, e li occhi no l’ardiscon di guardare. Ella si va, sententosi laudare, benignamente d’umiltà vestuta; e par ch... »
Deh, Violetta, che in ombra d’Amore – Dante Alighieri Deh, Violetta, che in ombra d’Amore negli occhi miei sì subito apparisti, aggi pietà del cor che tu feristi, che spera in te e disiando more. Tu, Violetta, in forma più che umana, foco mettesti dentro in la mia mente col tuo pia... »
Vergine Madre, figlia del tuo Figlio – Dante Alighieri Vergine Madre, figlia del tuo Figlio, umile e alta più che creatura, termine fisso d’eterno consiglio, tu se’ colei che l’umana natura nobilitasti sì, che il suo fattore non disdegnò di farsi sua fattura. Nel ventre tuo s... »
De gli occhi de la mia donna si move – Dante Alighieri De gli occhi de la mia donna si move un lume sì gentil che, dove appare, si veggion cose ch’uom non pò ritrare per loro altezza e per lor esser nove: e de’ suoi razzi sovra ‘l meo cor piove tanta paura, che mi fa tremare ... »
Un dì si venne a me Malinconia – Dante Alighieri Un dì si venne a me Malinconia e disse: “Io voglio un poco stare teco”; e parve a me ch’ella menasse seco Dolore e Ira per sua compagnia. E io le dissi: “Partiti, va via”; ed ella mi rispose come un greco: e ragiona... »
Amor, che movi tua vertù – Dante Alighieri Amor, che movi’ tua vertù da cielo come ‘l sol lo splendore, che là s’apprende più lo suo valore dove più nobiltà suo raggio trova; e come el fuga oscuritate e gelo, così, alto segnore, tu cacci la viltate altrui del core, né ira con... »
Com più vi fere amor – Dante Alighieri Com più vi fere Amor co’ suoi vincastri, più li vi fate in ubidirlo presto, ch’altro consiglio, ben lo vi protesto, non vi si può già dar: chi vuol, l’incastri. Poi, quando fie stagion, coi dolci impiastri farà stornarvi ogni tormento ag... »
Amore e ‘l cor gentil sono una cosa – Dante Alighieri Amore e ‘l cor gentil sono una cosa, sì come il saggio in suo dittare pone, e così esser l’un sanza l’altro osa com’alma razional sanza ragione. Falli natura quand’è amorosa, Amor per sire e ‘l cor ... »
1861 ARM’D year! year of the struggle! No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you, terrible year! Not you as some pale poetling, seated at a desk, lisping cadenzas piano; But as a strong man, erect, clothed in blue clothes, advancing, carrying a rifle on your shoulder, With well-gristled bo... »
A Clear Midnight THIS is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless, Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done, Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best. Night, sleep, death and the stars. Hits: 0 »
A Glimpse A GLIMPSE, through an interstice caught, Of a crowd of workmen and drivers in a bar-room, around the stove, late of a winter night–And I unremark’d seated in a corner; Of a youth who loves me, and whom I love, silently approaching, and seating himself near, that he may hold me ... »
A Boston Ballad, 1854 TO get betimes in Boston town, I rose this morning early; Here’s a good place at the corner–I must stand and see the show. Clear the way there, Jonathan! Way for the President’s marshal! Way for the government cannon! Way for the Federal foot and dragoons̵... »
A Child Said, What Is The Grass A child said, What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands; How could I answer the child?. . . .I do not know what it is any more than he. I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful green stuff woven. Or I guess it is the handkerchief of the... »
A Hand-Mirror HOLD it up sternly! See this it sends back! (Who is it? Is it you?) Outside fair costume–within ashes and filth, No more a flashing eye–no more a sonorous voice or springy step; Now some slave’s eye, voice, hands, step, A drunkard’s breath, unwholesome eaterR... »
A Leaf For Hand In Hand A LEAF for hand in hand! You natural persons old and young! You on the Mississippi, and on all the branches and bayous of the Mississippi! You friendly boatmen and mechanics! You roughs! You twain! And all processions moving along the streets! I wish to infuse myself among yo... »
A March In The Ranks, Hard-Prest A MARCH in the ranks hard-prest, and the road unknown; A route through a heavy wood, with muffled steps in the darkness; Our army foil’d with loss severe, and the sullen remnant retreating; Till after midnight glimmer upon us, the lights of a dim-lighted buildi... »
A Noiseless Patient Spider A noiseless, patient spider, I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated; Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding, It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself; Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them. And you, O my So... »
A Paumanok Picture TWO boats with nets lying off the sea-beach, quite still, Ten fishermen waiting–they discover a thick school of mossbonkers– they drop the join’d seine-ends in the water, The boats separate and row off, each on its rounding course to the beach, enclosing the moss... »
A Proadway Pageant OVER the western sea, hither from Niphon come, Courteous, the swart-cheek’d two-sworded envoys, Leaning back in their open barouches, bare-headed, impassive, Ride to-day through Manhattan. Libertad! I do not know whether others behold what I behold, In the procession, along ... »
A Promise To California A PROMISE to California, Also to the great Pastoral Plains, and for Oregon: Sojourning east a while longer, soon I travel toward you, to remain, to teach robust American love; For I know very well that I and robust love belong among you, inland, and along the Western Sea; For... »
A Riddle Song THAT which eludes this verse and any verse, Unheard by sharpest ear, unform’d in clearest eye or cunningest mind, Nor lore nor fame, nor happiness nor wealth, And yet the pulse of every heart and life throughout the world incessantly, Which you and I and all pursuing ever ever mi... »
A Sight In Camp A SIGHT in camp in the day-break grey and dim, As from my tent I emerge so early, sleepless, As slow I walk in the cool fresh air, the path near by the hospital tent, Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out there, untended lying, Over each the blanket spread, ample brownis... »
A Song COME, I will make the continent indissoluble; I will make the most splendid race the sun ever yet shone upon; I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades. I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along... »
A Song Of Joys O to make the most jubilant song! Full of music-full of manhood, womanhood, infancy! Full of common employments-full of grain and trees. O for the voices of animals-O for the swiftness and balance of fishes! O for the dropping of raindrops in a song! O for the sunshine and motion of w... »
Aboard At A Ship’s Helm ABOARD, at a ship’s helm, A young steersman, steering with care. A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing, An ocean-bell–O a warning bell, rock’d by the waves. O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-reefs ringing, Ringing, ringin... »
A Woman Waits For Me A WOMAN waits for me–she contains all, nothing is lacking, Yet all were lacking, if sex were lacking, or if the moisture of the right man were lacking. Sex contains all, Bodies, Souls, meanings, proofs, purities, delicacies, results, promulgations, Songs, commands, health,... »
Adieu To A Soldier ADIEU, O soldier! You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) The rapid march, the life of the camp, The hot contention of opposing fronts- the long manoeuver, Red battles with their slaughter,- the stimulus- the strong, terrific game, Spell of all brave and manly hearts- the ... »
After The Sea-Ship AFTER the Sea-Ship–after the whistling winds; After the white-gray sails, taut to their spars and ropes, Below, a myriad, myriad waves, hastening, lifting up their necks, Tending in ceaseless flow toward the track of the ship: Waves of the ocean, bubbling and gurgling, blith... »
Ages And Ages, Returning At Intervals AGES and ages, returning at intervals, Undestroy’d, wandering immortal, Lusty, phallic, with the potent original loins, perfectly sweet, I, chanter of Adamic songs, Through the new garden, the West, the great cities calling, Deliriate, thus prelude what is... »
All Is Truth O ME, man of slack faith so long! Standing aloof–denying portions so long; Only aware to-day of compact, all-diffused truth; Discovering to-day there is no lie, or form of lie, and can be none, but grows as inevitably upon itself as the truth does upon itself, Or as any law of the... »
Ah Poverties, Wincings Sulky Retreats AH poverties, wincings, and sulky retreats! Ah you foes that in conflict have overcome me! (For what is my life, or any man’s life, but a conflict with foes– the old, the incessant war?) You degradations–you tussle with passions and appetites; ... »
American Feuillage AMERICA always! Always our own feuillage! Always Florida’s green peninsula! Always the priceless delta of Louisiana! Always the cotton-fields of Alabama and Texas! Always California’s golden hills and hollows–and the silver mountains of New Mexico! Always soft-br... »
Among The Multitude AMONG the men and women, the multitude, I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs, Acknowledging none else–not parent, wife, husband, brother, child, any nearer than I am; Some are baffled–But that one is not–that one knows me. Ah, lover and perfe... »
An Army Corps On The March WITH its cloud of skirmishers in advance, With now the sound of a single shot, snapping like a whip, and now an irregular volley, The swarming ranks press on and on, the dense brigades press on; Glittering dimly, toiling under the sun–the dust-cover’d men, In c... »
Apostroph O MATER! O fils! O brood continental! O flowers of the prairies! O space boundless! O hum of mighty products! O you teeming cities! O so invincible, turbulent, proud! O race of the future! O women! O fathers! O you men of passion and the storm! O native power only! O beauty! O yourself! O ... »
As A Strong Bird On Pinious Free AS a strong bird on pinions free, Joyous, the amplest spaces heavenward cleaving, Such be the thought I’d think to-day of thee, America, Such be the recitative I’d bring to-day for thee. The conceits of the poets of other lands I bring thee not, Nor the c... »
Are You The New Person, Drawn Toward Me ARE you the new person drawn toward me? To begin with, take warning–I am surely far different from what you suppose; Do you suppose you will find in me your ideal? Do you think it so easy to have me become your lover? Do you think the friendship of me wo... »
As Adam, Early In The Morning AS Adam, early in the morning, Walking forth from the bower, refresh’d with sleep; Behold me where I pass–hear my voice–approach, Touch me–touch the palm of your hand to my Body as I pass; Be not afraid of my Body. Hits: 0 »
As At Thy Portals Also Death AS at thy portals also death, Entering thy sovereign, dim, illimitable grounds, To memories of my mother, to the divine blending, maternity, To her, buried and gone, yet buried not, gone not from me, (I see again the calm benignant face fresh and beautiful still, I sit b... »