Chapters 1-3 Summary

Chapter One's poems are simple and light-hearted, using imagery from nature, music, dining, fishing, hunting, war, and even childhood games to tell Hafiz's readers what he wants them to know. "Startled by God" uses the image of birds startled by a broken stick. "Let's Eat" compares the blessings of God to items on a menu. "When the Violin" uses a violin to represent a soul freed to make music in God's hands. "Looking for a Good Fish" uses the metaphor of shopping in the wrong markets and following dumb animals into deserts looking for water. "A Hunting Party" compares spiritual seekers to cooperating hunters. "This Sane Idea" compares people's tempers to guns. "We Have Not Come to Take Prisoners" uses war imagery to encourage freedom from oppressors. "I Can See Angels" fantasizes about celebrating angels. "You're It" describes God playing tag...