Shrine of Hafiz in Shiraz (Photo: Emily O’Dell)
Last month, while giving a series of lectures in Iran for the Commonwealth Club of California, I had the opportunity to return to the tomb of the 14th century Persian poet Hafiz in Shiraz. About his tomb, he once wrote: “If the breeze of Your hair at Hafiz’s tomb makes a stop / A hundred thousand tulips will adorn his grave-top.” I had to wait for the perfect opening to take a photo, since we went on a holiday and his tomb was surrounded by a large crowd of Iranians from all walks of life — all drawn to the grave of this mystic master.
When you pass by my tomb, ask for grace,
It’s a shrine where the drunkards abound…
— Hafiz
Visiting Hafiz in Iran (Photo: Emily O’Dell)
