hey, peeps.

i have started to write poetry in direct response to specific poems of Hafiz, and here is my first effort along those lines. this is in response to Hafiz's poem "A Forest Herb."

"What a Forest Herb Will Win"

Hafiz will wear
All the common garb of the tongue
if it will win him my friendship.
I give you my friendship, sweet Hafiz.

Hafiz will turn himself into a
Forest
Herb

If
I Will
Apply Hafiz to my
Wounds.
I apply Hafiz
to my wounds,
and Hafiz is like
a witch's flying ontment,
making my heart soar
to the Beloved, to the Friend,
and come back with love
freshly kindled
and burning anew.

- David J. Kunz, January 2005