Author Description

Product Description The poems of Hafiz, the esteemed fourteenth-century Sufi poet, are among the timeless treasures of world literature. In his native Persia modern Iran Hafiz is as alive and accessible today as he was to his contemporaries. Rather than being seen as stuffy classical literature from the remote past, his work is cherished as wisdom from a dear and intimate friend. His ecstatic love songs celebrate the beauty of the Beloved and playfully illuminate the sacredness of the world. These modern versions, from A Year With Hafiz: Daily Contemplations by Daniel Ladinsky, bring to life all the tenderness, wit and lyrical beauty of the original verses. The poetry is paired with stunning collage artwork by Silas Toball of Duirwaigh Studios, whose lush imagery and rich color palette are inspired by the venerable tradition of Persian-miniatures, but with a decidedly contemporary touch. The Hafiz wall calendar is a jewel box of beauty and inspiration, honoring the relevance and reach of this ageless poet. About the Author Hafiz, whose given name was Shams-ud-din Muhammad (ca. 1320-1389), is the most beloved Persian poet. He lived in the beautiful garden city Shiraz, where he became a famous spiritual teacher. His Divan (collected poems) is a classic in the literature of Sufism and mystical verse. Daniel Ladinsky is an American writer and poet known for his inspired renderings of Sufi poetry. Born and raised in the Midwest, Ladinsky spent six years in Western India, where he worked in a rural clinic free to the poor and lived with the disciples and family of Meher Baba. Ladinsky has published several volumes of his versions of Hafiz s poetry, including The Gift, The Subject Tonight Is Love and I Heard God Laughing. His most recent books are A Year with Hafiz: Daily Contemplations (2011) and The Purity of Desire: 100 Poems by Rumi (2012).