18 pages • 36 minutes read
A Great Need
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Further Reading & Resources
Related Poems
“Ghazal 85” by Hafez, translated by Roger Sedarat (14th century)
Translated by the Iranian American poet Roger Sedarat, Hafez’s “Ghazal 85” shares a similar ethos to “A Great Need.” Both poems deal with the threat of a companion or group member leaving. Unlike in “A Great Need,” the various companions in “Ghazal 85” leave.
Knowing the ghazal form’s rules helps decode the meaning behind “Ghazal 85.” Originating in Arabia around the 7th Century, the ghazal usually contains 10 lines, broken into couplets (a two-line stanza) at least. Poets often used it to discuss romance, loss, and metaphysical issues. Each couplet begins and ends a sentiment independent from the previous and following couplets. However, each couplet ends with a repeating rhyme (called the Qaafiyaa) and word (called the Radif). Poet introduces the Radif at the first and second lines’ ends of the opening couplet. The most similarities between “Ghazal 85” and “A Great Need” happen in the second couplet. One of the speaker’s fellow companions suggests their mutual companion left, “he felt constrained by us” (Line 3), so “He broke his chains alone” (Line 4). Both poems depict the group’s bond as a link, respectively chains and hands, breaking when the companion no longer loves the other members. Both poems also deal with a departure’s consequences. The speakers in the final couplet “weep” when abandoned. In “A Great Need,” the group would face danger if their bonds ended.
“Ghazal 17” by Hafez, translated by Roger Sedarat (14th century)
Another translation by poet Roger Sedarat, “Ghazal 17,” also deals with connections. Hafez depicts various passionate relationships, from romance to friendships to mutual strangers. Throughout the poem, Hafez demonstrates the powerful influence relationships and interactions with others have on a person.
“This Union” by Daniel Ladinsky, credited to Hafez
“This Union” shares many stylistic and thematic traits with “A Great Need.” Ladinsky formats “This Union” with the lines centered. He formats “A Great Need” the same way. Both poems also conclude in 12 lines and feature the speaker giving directions. Like in “A Great Need,” Ladinsky expresses his belief that individuals’ contributions profoundly impact their community.
Further Literary Resources
“Something Missing in My Heart: Daniel Ladinsky on The God-Intoxicated Poetry of Hafiz” by Andrew Lawler (2013)
Freelance writer Andrew Lawler lays out Ladinsky’s spiritual and philosophical beliefs, history, and artistic process in a 2013 interview with the author for The Sun Magazine.
The article also reveals critical insights into Ladinsky’s stance on the interdependence between people, one of the major themes of “A Great Need.” In Ladinsky’s worldview, “there are, in a way, only selfish acts.” Instead, he distinguishes the difference between actions as intelligence versus ignorance. He states that intelligent selfishness benefits everyone. In “A Great Need,” an individual traveler keeps himself safe by helping his fellow travelers. The speaker worries that the terrain is too dangerous to break off from the others. Additionally, the speaker passes on his knowledge about the path’s dangers to the addressee. The addressee then has the information to make the intelligent selfish choice to protect themselves and thus the rest of the group.
“In Iran, A Poet’s 700-Year-Old Verses Still Set Hearts Aflame” by Steve Inskeep (2016)
What Shakespeare is to English speakers, Hafez is to Farsi speakers. Steve Inskeep, NPR’s Morning Edition host, wrote about the poet’s popularity in 2016: “Many Iranians turn for advice to the writings of this beloved poet, opening his books at random and taking wisdom from whatever line they see.”
Because Hafez is known for his love poetry, Inskeep interviewed contemporary Iranian fans about their love for the celebrated poet for a feature for Valentine’s Day. Despite writing centuries ago, the article shows that Hafez remains a cornerstone and everyday presence in Iran’s culture.
“Fake Hafez: How a Supreme Persian poet of love was erased” by Dr. Omid Safi (2020)
Scholars take translating his complex work very seriously because of Hafez’s importance in Iranian and global literary history. As a result, scholars feel troubled by Ladinsky crediting his work to Hafez. Dr. Omar Safi, the Duke University Islamic Studies Director, wrote this editorial to explain why many find Ladinsky’s practice problematic.
Safi states that the popularity of Ladinsky’s work overshadows Hafez’s actual poems. Consequently, English language speakers might never truly experience Hafez’s work. Safi also lends insight into Ladinsky’s impact on other Hafez translation, mass-market publishing and branding, and what makes a successful translation.
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