I Have Learned So Much by Hafiz
by Steven McCabe
I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
a Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel,
Or even a pure
Soul.
Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me
Of every concept and image
my mind has ever known.
From: ‘The Gift’
Translated by Daniel Ladinsky
I did the ink drawing in my Moleskin sketchbook within the last few days
using a Micron drawing pen with archival ink.
And the digital manipulations of the image within the last 24 hours or so
using Photoshop 5.
*
*
*
poemimage 
The original drawing is exquisite, Steven. It feels almost 3 dimensional, delicately carved and hollowed out. And as light as driftwood…
The transformations are like holding the ‘driftwood’ drawing up to the light. Shifting and squinting. Beautiful.
Thank you Karen. You reminded me of an autumn many years ago when I was young & returned from a summer working in nature and found my drawing style had changed. Sort of a driftwood curve and slope had entered the imagery. I haven’t thought of that in so very long. I like this idea of holding the ‘driftwood drawing’ up to the light and squinting, turning it, angling it, maybe it’s on glass… ‘as light as driftwood.’ A spiritual connotation there in your suggestion. Very appreciated.
I can’t put it better than Karen – that really is a most evocative drawing Steven. And I love the philosophy of the poem.
Thank you very much Anna. I love drawing so much and love to see where they go. Sometimes a surprise. Yes a beautiful and cosmic poem.
I quite enjoyed the first ‘cooking channel’ incarnation of this post, it made me smile, deeply…This second coming is a different animal. Your images combined with Hafiz’ words evoke in me a more spiritual dimension, a whole other take on love. And Steven, I must thank you for introducing me to Hafiz, his writings have entered my heart…
Hi John, Ah you saw the first version which was a ‘wry’ (I guess we could say) take on ‘love.’ I’m glad you smiled over that. And here a different, as you say, kind of love. I’m glad to have been the link for Hafiz. I’m certainly no expert but do find profound beauty in his words and thoughts. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
Like harvest beings, Steven, carrying uprooted trees on their backs singing bird songs in the night eluding impressed form….a beautiful compliment to the Hafiz translation.
Hi Jana,
thank you for these imagistic interpretations. A whole new poetic thought. You have given Hafiz a drawing with words.
Really cool. Profound words. Atmospheric images.
Thank you for these atmospheric thoughts sunnysmile.
I adore your illustration. You have great style.
Thank you so much Richard. Really appreciate the vote of confidence. Ink drawing is my first love.
Your drawings and digital renderings remind me of intaglio prints (etchings and drypoint), and also of lithographic prints (handmade from limestone slabs). Simply beautiful and mysterious, Steven!
And as Clinock stated above, thank you for introducing us to Hafiz… his writings resonate with everything I have always felt, even as a young adolescent.
Hi Michelle, thank you for these thoughts. My drawings are intricate like intaglio and I have meant to explore that medium for…decades. As well the texture of lithographs I find fascinating. I’m glad this line and atmosphere communicates with/to you.
Apparently Hafiz is also used as a bit of a fortune speaker by some people. They will ask a question and open their Hafiz book randomly. I’m sure over time one gets to know the book and has a sense of where their fingers are taking them. But maybe the subconscious really does connect to Hafiz…