Additional information
by Hafiz (Author), Thomas Rain Crowe (Translator)
The Persian Sufi poet Hafiz (1326-1390) is a towering figure in Islamic literature--and in spiritual attainment as well. Known for his profound mystical wisdom combined with a sublime sensuousness, Hafiz was the supreme master of a poetic form known as the ghazal (pronounced "guzzle"), an ode or song consisting of rhymed couplets celebrating divine love. In this selection of his poems, wine and the intoxication it brings are the image that expresses this love in all its joyful abandon, painful longing, bewilderment, and surrender. Through ninety-five free-verse renditions, we gain entry into the mystical world of Hafiz's Winehouse, with its happy minstrels, its bewitching Winebringer, and its companions in drunken longing whose hearts cry out, "More wine " Thomas Rain Crowe brings a new dimension to our growing appreciation of Hafiz and his wise drunkard's advice to the seekers of God:
In this world of illusion, take nothing other than this cup of wine;In this playhouse, don't play any games but love.
Author Biography
Thomas Rain Crowe is a poet, translator, editor, publisher, recording artist, and the author of ten books. Hailed as one of the Baby Beats of the 1970s, he has been described as what happens when Kabir, Rumi, and Sydney Lanier meet the Dharma Bums. Crowe is a frequent performer at poetry festivals and Sufi events, reciting Hafiz poems to the musical accompaniment of his band, the Boatrockers. Among his recent books are In Wineseller's Street: Renderings of Hafiz and Water from the Moon. Thomas Crowe lives in Culowhee, North Carolina.
