- 16
- Episodes
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Persian Poetry Caravan
Persian Poetry Caravan brings Persian poems, wisdom, and emotion into simple English. In Season 1, we begin with Hafez, also known as Hafiz, one of the most beloved poets of Persia. Each episode shares poetic English translations, calm narration, soft music, and short explanations for listeners who love Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, and timeless literature. Join the caravan as we travel through the world of Hafez, Rumi, Ferdowsi, Saadi, Khayyam, and the great voices of Persian literature.
- Publisher
- Persian Poetry Caravan
- Category
- arts
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 14 Jun 2026
- Latest episode
- 5 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
5 Oct 2026
Episode 14 — Hafez Ghazal 13: When Dawn Calls for Wine
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 13 — a vivid morning poem of dawn, dew, wine, beauty, freedom, and the sudden shock of a closed tavern door. Hafez begins beneath a canopy of cloud, with dew resting on the face of the tulip and a breeze from the meadow that feels as if it has travelled from paradise. The whole world seems ready for joy — and then the tavern door is shut. In that turning point, delight becomes urgency, and Hafez calls upon the Opener of all doors to open the winehouse once again. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its literary, emotional, and spiritual layers. Explore The Rose and the Tavern: 40 Ghazals of Hafez in Modern English on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H41GXZCD Watch Persian Poetry Caravan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PersianPoetryCaravan Persian Poetry Caravan brings the great voices of classical Persian poetry into modern English — with ongoing series on Hafez and Saadi.
29 Sept 2026
Saadi in English: Nushiravan’s Counsel to His Son | Persian Poetry Caravan
Saadi’s counsel on just rule begins with a vivid image: the people are the roots, and the ruler is the tree. In this passage from the opening of Chapter One of the Bustan, Nushiravan speaks to his son Hormuz about justice, mercy, and the responsibility of power. Listen to an English poetic rendering of Saadi’s counsel, followed by a brief reflection on the poem’s central image and its call to protect those most easily overlooked. From Saadi’s Bustan, Chapter One, opening counsel to Hormuz. Presented in English by Persian Poetry Caravan — Persian Poems in English. Follow Persian Poetry Caravan for more English readings and reflections on Saadi, Hafez, Rumi, Khayyam, and the great voices of Persian poetry
27 Sept 2026
Saadi in English: Who Was Saadi? | Persian Poetry Caravan
Who was Saadi of Shiraz—and why do his words still travel across centuries? In this opening episode of the Saadi series, we meet the poet behind the Bustan (The Orchard) and the Golestan (The Rose Garden), look at his life and literary legacy, and acknowledge what remains uncertain in the historical record. Presented in clear English, this short introduction opens a new strand of Persian Poetry Caravan: Persian Poems in English. In Episode Two, we enter the Bustan with Nushiravan’s counsel to his son, Hormuz, and Saadi’s image of just rule. Follow Persian Poetry Caravan for poetic English renderings and brief reflections on Saadi, Hafez, Rumi, Khayyam, and the great voices of Persian poetry. Research references: Encyclopaedia Iranica, “Saʿdi,” “Būstān,” and “Golestān-e Saʿdi.”
25 Sept 2026
Episode 13 — Hafez Ghazal 12: The Moon Borrows Light from Your Face
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 12 — a poem of beauty, distance, longing, memory, devotion, and the ache of wanting to draw near. Hafez begins with an extravagant image: the moon itself seems to borrow its radiance from the beloved’s face. From there, the poem moves through the beloved’s intoxicating eyes, the morning breeze, the hope of reunion, tears, sacrifice, and the pain of separation. Near the end, the ghazal shifts from the private world of the lover into the historical world around Hafez, with references to Yazd, distance, loyalty, and the desire to approach the royal court. The result is a poem that moves between intimate love and worldly separation without losing its emotional centre. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its literary, emotional, and spiritual layers. Explore The Rose and the Tavern: 40 Ghazals of Hafez in Modern English on Amazon: Amazon.com: The Rose and the Tavern: 40 Timeless Poems of Hafez — Persian Ghazals of Love, Longing, and Wisdom in Modern English (Persian Poetry Caravan) eBook : Shirazi, Hafez, Caravan, Persian Poetry : Kindle Store (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H41GXZCD)Persian Poetry Caravan brings the great voices of classical Persian poetry into modern English — including Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, and more.
17 Sept 2026
Episode 12 — Hafez Ghazal 11: The Heart Made Alive by Love
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 11 — a luminous poem about wine, beauty, remembrance, tears, spiritual freedom, and the power of a heart awakened by love. Hafez looks into the cup and sees the reflection of the Beloved. From that image comes one of his most enduring ideas: the one whose heart has been made alive by love does not truly die. The ghazal moves between celebration and mortality, longing and surrender, public respectability and inward truth. It asks what remains when beauty fades, names are forgotten, and reputation no longer matters. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its emotional, literary, and spiritual layers. Explore Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon: Amazon.com: The Rose and the Tavern: 40 Timeless Poems of Hafez — Persian Ghazals of Love, Longing, and Wisdom in Modern English (Persian Poetry Caravan) eBook : Shirazi, Hafez, Caravan, Persian Poetry : Kindle Store (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H41GXZCD) Watch Persian Poetry Caravan on YouTube: Persian Poetry Caravan - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@PersianPoetryCaravan) Persian Poetry Caravan brings the great voices of classical Persian poetry into modern English — including Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, and more.
2 Sept 2026
Episode 11 — Hafez Ghazal 10: When the Master Came to the Tavern
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 10 — a poem of spiritual reversal, bewilderment, longing, and the dangerous freedom of love. Hafez begins with a startling image: the master leaves the mosque and comes toward the tavern. The disciples are left asking what plan remains for them now. Should they turn toward the formal direction of prayer, or toward the direction chosen by the master himself? This ghazal explores the collapse of certainty, the joy of love’s captivity, the beloved’s face as a sign of grace, and the fiery sigh of longing that can pass beyond the heavens. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its emotional and spiritual meaning. Explore Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon: [PASTE AMAZON BOOK LINK HERE] Watch short poetic videos on YouTube: [PASTE YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK HERE] Persian Poetry Caravan brings classical Persian poems into modern English for listeners and readers who love Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Sufi poetry, love poetry, wisdom literature, and Persian culture. Keywords: Hafez, Persian poetry, Persian poems in English, Sufi poetry, love poetry, spiritual poetry, classical poetry, poetry podcast, Iranian poetry, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Persian Poetry Caravan
26 Aug 2026
Episode 10 — Hafez Ghazal 9: The Garden Is Young Again
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 9 — a poem of spring, beauty, humility, mortality, freedom, and the danger of religious hypocrisy. The ghazal opens with the garden becoming young again: the rose returns, the nightingale receives glad news, and the morning breeze carries devotion through the meadow. But Hafez does not give us spring only as decoration. Behind the beauty, he places warning. Behind joy, he places death. Behind sacred language, he shows the danger of using holiness as a mask. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its emotional and spiritual meaning. Explore Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon: [PASTE AMAZON BOOK LINK HERE] Watch short poetic videos on YouTube: [PASTE YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK HERE] Persian Poetry Caravan brings classical Persian poems into modern English for listeners and readers who love Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Sufi poetry, love poetry, wisdom literature, and Persian culture. Keywords: Hafez, Persian poetry, Persian poems in English, Sufi poetry, love poetry, spiritual poetry, classical poetry, poetry podcast, Iranian poetry, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Persian Poetry Caravan
7 Aug 2026
Episode 9 — Hafez Ghazal 8: A Cup Against the Sorrow of Time
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 8 — a poem of wine, sorrow, pride, longing, and the patient courage of the heart. Hafez turns to the cupbearer and asks for a cup strong enough to stand against the sorrow of passing days. But in Hafez, the cup is never only wine. It becomes a mirror, a medicine, and a quiet rebellion against false devotion, empty reputation, and the restless ego. This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a reflective explanation of its emotional and spiritual meaning. Explore Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon: Amazon.com: Persian Poetry Caravan: books, biography, latest update (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Persian-Poetry-Caravan/author/B0H6J11PG4?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=ff5d7a08-2799-42b3-89e3-1c50d7d5cf3d) Watch short poetic videos on YouTube: Persian Poetry Caravan - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@PersianPoetryCaravan) Persian Poetry Caravan brings classical Persian poems into modern English for listeners and readers who love Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Sufi poetry, love poetry, wisdom literature, and Persian culture. Keywords: Hafez, Persian poetry, Persian poems in English, Sufi poetry, love poetry, spiritual poetry, classical poetry, poetry podcast, Iranian poetry, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Persian Poetry Caravan
2 Aug 2026
Episode 8 — Hafez Ghazal 7: Ask the Drunken Ones
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue with Hafez Ghazal 7 — a poem about the cup, the hidden secret, the passing feast of life, and the wisdom of those who live beyond respectable appearances. Hafez speaks to the Sufi and invites him not to a sermon, but to a mirror-like cup. In this ghazal, the deepest truth is not found in spiritual pride, but in humility, present joy, and the mysterious freedom of the heart. Explore the Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon: Amazon.com: Persian Poetry Caravan: books, biography, latest update (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Persian-Poetry-Caravan/author/B0H6J11PG4?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=df7b1c2a-662c-4c07-91cc-4511ca6b3e0c) Persian Poetry Caravan brings classical Persian poems into modern English for listeners who love Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Sufi poetry, love poetry, wisdom literature, and Persian culture. Explore the Persian Poetry Caravan books on Amazon, where classical Persian poems are brought into modern English for today’s readers.
12 Jul 2026
Hafez Ghazal 6: Do Not Cast the Beggar from Your Gaze
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue our journey through Hafez with Ghazal 6 — a poem of longing, humility, beauty, and mercy. Hafez speaks as a beggar before a king, as a lover before the beloved, and as a soul waiting to be seen. The poem moves between prayer, desire, danger, tenderness, and hope, asking one unforgettable question: what is the use of beauty if it refuses mercy? This episode includes a modern English poetic rendering of the ghazal, followed by a short reflection on its emotional and spiritual meaning. Persian Poetry Caravan brings classical Persian poems into modern English for readers and listeners who love poetry, wisdom literature, Sufi poetry, Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, and the great voices of Persian culture. Keywords: Hafez, Persian poetry, Persian poems in English, Sufi poetry, love poetry, spiritual poetry, classical poetry, poetry podcast, Iranian poetry, Rumi, Saadi, Khayyam, Persian Poetry Caravan
5 Jul 2026
Hafez Ghazal 5: My Heart Is Slipping Away
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue our journey through Hafez with Ghazal 5. This poem begins with a cry from the heart. Hafez speaks of love, secrecy, longing, helplessness, and the moment when hidden pain can no longer stay hidden. The poem moves through images of the slipping heart, the broken ship, the favourable wind, the familiar beloved, and the secret that is almost revealed. A calm poetic narration and reflection for listeners who enjoy Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, Hafez, Hafiz, love poetry, Shiraz, and timeless literature.
24 Jun 2026
Hafez Ghazal 4: Message to the Graceful Gazelle
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue our journey through Hafez with Ghazal 4. This poem begins with a message carried by the morning breeze to the graceful beloved. Hafez speaks of longing, beauty, kindness, distance, and the pain of a lover who feels forgotten. The poem moves through images of the gazelle, the rose, the nightingale, the parrot, sugar, and the wind. It asks why beauty can sometimes be distant, and why the heart still hopes for gentleness. A calm poetic narration and reflection for listeners who enjoy Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, Hafez, Hafiz, love poetry, Shiraz, and timeless literature.
21 Jun 2026
Hafez Ghazal 3 in English: If the Beloved from Shiraz Holds My Heart
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue our journey through Hafez, also known as Hafiz, with Ghazal 3 in simple, emotional English. This famous Persian poem speaks of love, beauty, longing, wine, music, and the restless heart. Hafez gives everything for one glance from the beloved, then reminds us that true beauty does not need decoration or praise. A calm poetic translation and reflection for listeners who enjoy Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, Hafez, Hafiz, Rumi, and timeless literature in English.
19 Jun 2026
Hafez Ghazal 2 in English: Where Is Wisdom and Where Am I?
In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we continue our journey through Hafez, also known as Hafiz, with Ghazal 2 in simple, emotional English. This Persian poem asks a deep question: Where is wisdom, and where am I? Hafez places 2 worlds beside each other. The monastery and the tavern. The sermon and the music. The dead lamp and the sun. In this episode, we hear a poetic English translation followed by a calm reflection on love, honesty, false holiness, longing, and the restless heart. For listeners who enjoy Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, Hafez, Hafiz, Rumi, and timeless literature in English.
14 Jun 2026
Hafez Ghazal 1 in English: Love Seemed Easy at First
"Love seemed easy at first then the difficulties came." Six hundred years ago in Shiraz, Hafez opened his Divan with this confession, and it has been consoling lovers ever since. In this episode of Persian Poetry Caravan, we begin our journey through Hafez, also known as Hafiz, with the first ghazal of his Divan, read in clear, modern English. This famous Persian poem begins with love appearing easy, before revealing difficulty, longing, surrender, and the storm of the heart. Hafez speaks of the beloved, the tavern, the dark night, the waves, and the journey of the lover — a calm poetic narration followed by a gentle reflection. No background in Persian poetry is needed. Only a quiet moment. This ghazal, with thirty-nine more, appears in our book The Rose and the Tavern: 40 Timeless Ghazals of Hafez — available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. If Hafez has ever moved you, a short honest review there helps other readers find him. For listeners who enjoy Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, Hafez, Hafiz, Rumi, and timeless literature in English. Follow Persian Poetry Caravan so the next poem finds you
14 Jun 2026
Who Was Hafez? Persian Poetry in English
Welcome to Persian Poetry Caravan, a calm journey into the world of Persian poetry, love, longing, and timeless wisdom. In this first episode, we introduce Hafez, also known as Hafiz, one of the most beloved poets of Persia. Born in Shiraz in the 14th century, Hafez became a voice of the heart, writing about love, beauty, wine, the beloved, the tavern, spiritual freedom, and the mystery of the soul. This episode explains who Hafez was, why his poetry still lives in Persian culture, and why his words continue to speak to readers and listeners around the world. A gentle introduction for anyone interested in Hafez, Hafiz, Persian poetry, Sufi poetry, spiritual poetry, love poetry, Shiraz, Rumi, Saadi, and the great voices of Persian literature.
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