David Ladinsky: The Sun Never Says

Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,

“You owe
Me.”

Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
Whole
Sky.

—from “The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, the great Sufi Master” by David Ladinksy

Hafiz-inspired Poetry

David Ladinsky explains his beautiful work, “inspired” by Hafiz, not as direct translation in the quote below.  Check out his many books for more inspired and inspirational poetry.

… I have never claimed my work with Hafiz is a traditional — scholarly — translation, for how could it be, for I do not know or speak Farsi (Persian) at all fluently, though at times I have worked with several translators who do know Farsi as their first language…. a primary definition of the word translation is: “A written or spoken rendering, an interpretation of the significance of a work in another language…”

My great research into Hafiz has revealed, what I feel, is enough genuine DNA to reconstruct Hafiz if you will into a more astounding, brilliant man, into a more wild and vital life giving — encompassing sun. I love these words that are attributed to Hafiz, I have found them so encouraging in trying to do justice to this world-treasured poet, those words are,
“No one could ever paint a too wonderful picture of my heart or God.”

—David Ladinsky, posted to amazon.com

“A love like that…”

What is love? Please leave your answer in the comment section below. Help me with your ideas. Perhaps you agree with the poem, perhaps not.
I’ve been exploring the topic of love in all its forms for my Storytelling Performance “Legacy of Love.”