Hafiz, version by Daniel Ladinsky
Dropping Keys
The small man
Builds cages for everyone
He
Knows.
While the sage,
Who has to duck his head
When the moon is low,
Keeps dropping keys all night long
For the
Beautiful
Rowdy
Prisoners.
From Hafiz, translation by Daniel Ladinsky, The Gift (New York: Penguin Compass, 1999). Hafiz of Shiraz (or Hafez) was a 14th century Persian poet. He was a Sunni Muslim with an affinity for Sufism. Daniel Ladinksy's recent translation tries to bring out the whimsical and playful elements of this deeply mystical poet.
Amy Frykholm afrykholm@gmail.com
