Paul Smith

Hafez Paul Smith

HAFEZ The Ugly, Little, Fat Persian Boy Who Became the World's Greatest Poet! This is the true story of the ugliest boy of his age but with a remarkable memory whose father dies when he is eight and he has to live with his mother at his Uncle Sadi's house. Hafez goes to work in a drapery shop where he becomes part of the people's overthrowing of a cruel ruler. He then becomes an apprentice baker, who delivers bread to the rich suburbs of Shiraz, Persia in 1320. One day he catches sight of Nabat, the beautiful daughter of one of the cities wealthy traders, promised to a handsome prince. Hafez pours his love into his poems/songs dedicated to her. His words are so wondrous that the greatest minstrel of the day Hajji, takes up his instrument and serenades his loved one for him. His experiences with his Spiritual Master, Attar, and his songs and poems soon establish Hafez as a force for truth and beauty through his much loved Shiraz, ravaged by wars and revolutions. Fame doesn't come easily as the ruthless rulers and priests conspire to silence the ever-increasing power of Hafiz's voice. Will he, Nabat and friends like the jester Obeyd and the minstrel Hajji survive? Can words of love defeat hate's sword? Will Hafez gain his heart's desire? Meher Baba: "There is no equal to Hafez in poetry. He was a Perfect Master ... His Divan is the best book in the world because it engenders feelings which ultimately lead to illumination." Large Print 16pt., Large Format 8" x 10" 207 pages. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Rudaki, Seemab, Jigar, his own poetry, fiction, children's books, plays, biographies, screenplays. amazon/author/smithpa