Me, Hafez, and A Wish

So, I woke up early this morning, missing my Hafez books. Was it the way yesterday had ended? Or did I have a dream I couldn't remember, but which was weighing on my mind? All I know is that I really needed some solace and comfort, the kind only prayers and my Khajeh can give me. As you may know by now, I have not been living in my house these days while I take care of my friends' house and cat. I didn't have access to any of my Hafez books, so I went back to the site that I had first shared with you last December, to do a fa'al*-e-Hafez. The picture above shows what I got.

Can any of you help with an interpretation? I'm a little stumped myself today. Any help will be appreciated!

Have a good Monday and a good week you guys!

fa'al means bibliomancy in Farsi.

زلف بر باد مده

Let not the wind into your tresses or I will go into the wind

Let not seduction be your way or I will lose mine

Drink not with any old contender or I will drown in pain

Savor not your wine or I will turn red in sobriety

Lock not your hair or I will be locked in remorse

Twist not your hair or I will get twisted

Become not the rival's friend or I will become mad with rivalry

Feel not for others or I will cease to feel

Open your face and I won't need a flower

Stand tall and I won't need the air of heights

Paint not the town red or I will shed blood for tears

Cherish not the other's company or I will perish

Steal not the limelight or all light will leave me

Ogle not or I will melt beneath your gaze

Be kind to this poor suitor and come to my aid

For me not to appeal to the Messenger

Hafez will never turn away from you

For he became free the day he was entrapped by you.

"Hafez"

I'm listening to Mohsen Namjoo. My heart is listening.

A Yalda Invitation

It's almost Friday and it is the eve of Yalda. My friend, Jahangir, has sent me the following description of the event which I share with you (source unknown):

"On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. Considered the longest night of the year, Yalda eve is the night when ancient Iranians celebrated the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light. Every 21st of December Iranians celebrate Yalda which means birth in Syriac. It is believed that when this night ends, days become longer as light (Sun) has defeated darkness."

"Today the Yalda festival is a time when family members gather at the home of the elders until after midnight. Guests are served with dried fruits, nuts, and winter fruits like pomegranates and watermelons, which symbolize the red color of dawn in the sky. They also practice bibliomancy [tafaol, faal] with the poetry of the highly respected mystic Iranian poet Hafez. Persians believe whenever one is faced with difficulties or has a general question, one can ask the poet for an answer. Hafez sings to the questioner in his own enigmatic way and allows individuals to look in the mirror of their soul through his poems."

Let's celebrate Yalda together this year (agar ghabel bedoonid). Please leave me a piece of Hafez poetry of your choice or by tafaol (bibliomancy). Or, leave me the link to a piece of music you would like others to hear. Or tell us a story, an anecdote, or anything your heart desires. Or do all three! Join in the celebration, please.

Here's my poetry contribution:

یارم چو قدح بدست گیرد

بازار بتان شکست گیرد

هرکس که بدید چشم او گفت

کو محتسبی که مست گیرد

در بحر فتاده ام چو ماهی

تا یار مرا بشست گیرد

در پاش فتاده ام بزاری

آیا بود آنکه دست گیرد

خرم دل آنکه همچو حافظ

جامی ز می الست گیرد

And here are musical contributions from Amir, the groom of the Yalda wedding, a present to his bride, and one love song from my sweet and wonderful friend, Hadi, who always reads me and gives his comments verbally! Happy Yalda Everybody. Have a great weekend, filled with warm bonfires of love and understanding in your hearts. Be good y'all, wherever on this planet you are tonight.

Photo by Babak Bordbar, Fars News Agency, Shiraz Music Festival, December 2007 (I have cropped this photo).

Hafez Talks

I know nothing beats holding my old Hafez book in my alone time, praying my prayer, making a wish, and opening the book to read his words of advice and wisdom to me. But when I received a link for an internet-based Faal-e-Hafez this morning at work, I couldn't resist it! I closed my eyes and made a wish with all my heart. I clicked on the book. Would you believe this is what Hafez told me today? I have been buzzing with joy all day! Something fabulous is about to happen for me. Something beautiful. Something big. I knew it, but now I am sure.

Inspired on A Wednesday (Part I)

My friend, Talieh Shahrokhi who is a photographer has posted this picture on Iranian.com today. It is of a piece of a Hafez poem, written on a wall in the Corcoran neighborhood of Minneapols, Minnesota. Citizens of Corcoran have gathered to create artwork on their neighborhood's walls. Take a look at this slideshow which shows how they did another wall, that one depicting another piece of Hafez' poem. It made me so proud to see this. I felt inspired and strengthened in the humanity this project reflects. Hafez rules in my world and as it appears, in other people's, as well.

P.S. Can anybody tell me which Hafez poem in Farsi this is?

With Hafez

View of San Francisco Bay from Oakland Hills, getting ready for rain.

I read today that there will be a nationwide celebration of Hafez in Iran on Mehr 20th. Hafez is every Iranian's poet. Everyone reads him and believes that Hafez has talked to him/her directly. Every Iranian lives with Hafez and heeds his advice. A poet whose poetry never ages, and for seven hundred years has provided lovers and those in need of advice a poetic way of expression. I live with Hafez. I have a small collection of twelve Hafez books, from a small, travel-sized one to beautiful calligraphy versions. In honor of the upcoming celebration, here's your Hafez invitation. Share your favorite Hafez poetry, or, if you feel like it, please open a Faal for us. I have already made my wish and I'm waiting to hear from you.

پیش ازاینت بیش ازاین اندیشه‌ی عشّاق بود مهرورزی تو با ما شهرهٔ آفاق بود یاد باد آن صحبت شبها که با نوشین‌لبان بحث سرّ عشق و ذکر حلقهٔ عشّاق بود پیش ازین کاین سقف سبز و طاق مینا برکشند منظر چشم مرا ابروی جانان طاق بود سایهٔ معشوق اگر افتاد بر عاشق چه شد ما به او محتاج بودیم او به ما مشتاق بود حسن مهرویان مجلس گرچه دل می‌برد و دین بحث ما در لطف طبع و خوبی اخلاق بود شعر حافظ در زمان آدم اندر باغ خلد دفتر نسرین و گل رازینت اوراق بود