Hafez Translations

These are modern English translations of the Persian poet Hafez by Michael R. Burch.

MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF HAFEZ BY MICHAEL R. BURCH

Hafez (1325-1390), also known in the West as Hafiz, was a Persian lyric poet and Sufi mystic whose writings are considered a pinnacle of Persian literature. His major work was The Divan of Hafez.

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Infectious!
by Hafez
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

I became infected with happiness tonight
as I wandered idly, singing in the starlight.
Now I'm wonderfully contagious—
so kiss me!



Dispensing Keys
by Hafez
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

The imbecile
constructs cages
for everyone he knows,
while the sage
(who has to duck his head
whenever the moon glows)
keeps dispensing keys
all night long
to the beautiful, rowdy,
prison gang.



The Tally
by Hafez
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Lovers
don't reveal
all
their Secrets;
under the covers
they
may
count each other's Moles
(that reside
and hide
in the shy regions
by forbidden holes),
then keep the final tally
strictly
from Aunt Sally!

This is admittedly a very loose translation of the original Hafez poem!

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