The Subject Tonight Is Love: 60 Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz (Compass)

Being honest, I was poised to hate the book, Daniel Ladinsky has managed a dubious reputation as translator, blamed by quite a few as a shill larding self-help affirmations with traces of ancient poetry.

That sounds like a case for Arno Schmidt—but he’s dead.

I don’t know about the degree of license taken but I did appreciate the images. There’s a drunken ecstasy at play. There are poetic love bruises. Sure, there are anachronisms, I have doubts Hafiz was preoccupied with being cool or ever waxed on “getting stoned.” This volume did encourage me to pursue other translations.

I am unaware how much the author freely interprets Hafiz, though it does seem greatly. However the result, whether Hafiz or Ladinsky, is magical. I love this poetry. I love whimsy and the grace and the blessing.

Avoid if heartbroken or heartless.