Hafiz (14th Century).               Wow        Lipstadt (20~21st Century)

Where does the real poetry.                      Where does the real poetry
Come from?                                                 Come from?

From the amorous sighs                            From the wet tears spilling
In this moist dark when making love     In dry, bright beauteous light
With form or                                               Within the apparitions of my
Spirit.                                                       ­    Mind’s eye


Where does poetry live?                           Where does poetry live?

In the eye that says, "Wow wee,”             In the fingertips that spout
In the overpowering felt splendor           Words becoming splendid in
Every sane mind knows                            Every maddening heartbeat
When it realizes - our life dance              When life encapsulates into
Is only for a few magic                              Momentary mega-magical
Seconds,                                                       Seconds,

From the heart saying,                               From each cell borning,
Shouting,                                               ­       Pronouncing,



"I am so ****                                             “I am so ****

Alive.".                                                   ­       Alive.”





("The Gift" - versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky