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HAFEZ POETRY - MAY 2024

Lehman Trilogy - by Maria Trivino2.jpeg

Hafez Poetry

May 2024

May 21, 2024

Workshop Lead: Eshe Mercer-James

The 14th-century Persian lyric mystic poet Hafez has resonated with audiences from his time and place into our own. Reading him through the translations of late 19th century British writer, political officer, and archaeologist Gertrude Bell, offers a stepping stone on the journey from his roots to ours. With the poems "Arise, Oh Cup-Bearer" and "Singer, Sweet Singer," we will explore translation, transculturation, and the joy of living.


After you register, The Jamii Team will send you digital copies of the two poems that we will be focusing on during this session. If you need printed copies, stop by The Jamii Hub at 264 The Esplanade, between 9am and 5pm on weekdays to pick up a printed version.


If you would like to explore more of Hafez's work, Eshe recommends "The Gift" collection, which you can find at independent bookstore Queen Books. Mention that you are a Jamii Book Club participant to receive a 10% discount.

Photos by Afnan Yakot, Maria Trivino, Sarah N. Ahmad

Eshe Mercer-James


Eshe Mercer-James has taught literature courses at both York and Trent Universities, and also works with the Canadian Language Museum. Her PhD dissertation, Framing Standard and Dialect in Black Women’s Novels (2021), was nominated for the Mary McEwan Memorial Award, a prize for feminist scholarship.

Photo by Isorine Marc

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