The Garden of Heaven: Poems of Hafiz (Dover Thrift Editions: Poetry)

I wanted to address -- an arrow here one of these reviews shot into me, the one dated August 5, 2009. But before that I want to say: I have bought several copies of this sweet publication over the years. And I feel Dover has done a great service in giving us this. And for any not aware of what a remarkable person Gertrude Bell was, they might enjoy searching some info about her on the web.This book, "The Garden of Heaven," was very helpful to me at times with developing "My Portrait of Hafiz," as I sometimes refer to my work with him, and wrote an essay with that title I posted amongst Readers Reviews at Amazon ... under "The Gift, Poems by Hafiz," a Penguin publication. That essay/review is dated April 18, 2005.For any wanting to make some reviews about my work (like the one by A. Windsor) more of a fair fight I would suggest they read two essays about the "Genesis" of my work with Hafiz that appear in my latest Hafiz effort, titled "A Year With Hafiz." One of those essays is called, "Releasing the Spirit of Hafiz." I would also point any sincerely interested in the foundation -- and inspiration -- behind my poetry publications to the October (2013) issue of The Sun magazine where they did an extensive interview about my Hafiz and Rumi work, and work with some of the greatest poet-saints in recorded history. That interview (which was totally unsolicited by me), i thought, asked some very direct and hard-hitting questions.I love these words attributed to Hafiz:"No one could ever paint a too wonderful picture of my heart or God."That seems to be the great task with Hafiz -- to reveal the grandeur of words, and to make tangible the Grace, the vital food, that can be in real poetry. Poetry at its height is the Sun speaking -- and lifting us up into its arms, if only for a blessed moment. A great, great thanks to any who help Hafiz do that. And he can. Indeed.Daniel Ladinskybest-selling Penguin author of poetryDecember 26, 2013

This is a beautiful, inspirational book.

I love Rumi, but not the old English version

I liked the other Hafiz books I have more than this one. Very different from his other books that are translated.

Interesting poetry from far away land including wisdom.

I have always felt that Hafiz was hard to get and repetitive but at the same time there is this amazing beauty in his words and devotion to God. I often find myself board when reading and then something will leap off the page and just send me soaring into the most amazing places. this book was no different than others I have read. I sometime think that Hafiz, so long, long ago planned it that way.Carl BozemanAmazon best selling author: On Being God-Beyond You're Life's PurposeAre You Listening? Addressing the Divine Within andOn Human Being-Loving & Living Without Purpose

Great intro text cheap edition I order it for all my world lit classes to make textbooks more affordable for my kids

More notes and introduction that actual text. I love Hafiz, but, even though it only cost $3, I wouldn't have bought it if I knew how little true content was in this book.

Could not feel energized with the type of language used in translation.Let go. Cant even be gifted knowingly.

I prefer Coleman Barks translations of the era of poetry.

This book arrived in advance of the expected date and provided enormous help for a presentation I'm giving about hafiz and the brilliant Gertrude Bell who translated his poems. A good quality book with attractive cover and great value. Well done and thankyou

It’s mostly description and Interpretation and has some poetry inside. Not what I expected.

So touching.Every poem is like a deep remembrance of our true divine nature