The Persian Sufi poet Hafiz (1326–1390) is a towering figure in Islamic literature—and in spiritual attainment as well. Known for his profound mystical wisdom combined with a sublime sensuousness, Hafiz was the supreme master of a poetic form known as the ghazal (pronounced "guzzle"), an ode or song consisting of rhymed couplets celebrating divine love. In this selection of his poems, wine and the intoxication it brings are the image that expresses this love in all its joyful abandon, painful longing, bewilderment, and surrender. Through ninety-five free-verse renditions, we gain entry into the mystical world of Hafiz's Winehouse, with its happy minstrels, its bewitching Winebringer, and its companions in drunken longing whose hearts cry out, "More wine!" Thomas Rain Crowe brings a new dimension to our growing appreciation of Hafiz and his wise drunkard's advice to the seekers of God: In this world of illusion, take nothing other than this cup of wine; In this playhouse, don't play any games but love.

Hafez is one of the best known medieval Persian mystic poets, as celebrated and popular as his near contemporary Rumi. As with Rumi, modern translations have a strong appeal to today's readers. Both ardent mystic and lover, Hafez fuses earthly and divine love.

Includes English translation of the introduction to the Diwan, known as Dibajah (The adorned poem), by Abu al-Hasan Nur al-Din Ali al-Misri.

The definitive collection of works on a subject that inspired and haunted Charles Bukowski for his entire life: alcohol Charles Bukowski turns to the bottle in this revelatory collection of poetry and prose that includes some of the writer’s best and most lasting work. A self-proclaimed “dirty old man,” Bukowski used alcohol as muse and as fuel, a conflicted relationship responsible for some of his darkest moments as well as some of his most joyful and inspired. In On Drinking, Bukowski expert Abel Debritto has collected the writer’s most profound, funny, and memorable work on his ups and downs with the hard stuff—a topic that allowed Bukowski to explore some of life’s most pressing questions. Through drink, Bukowski is able to be alone, to be with people, to be a poet, a lover, and a friend—though often at great cost. As Bukowski writes in a poem simply titled “Drinking,”: “for me/it was or/is/a manner of/dying/with boots on/and gun/smoking and a/symphony music background.” On Drinking is a powerful testament to the pleasures and miseries of a life in drink, and a window into the soul of one of our most beloved and enduring writers.

A modern mystic and religious scholar presents a stunning collection of Rumi poems—and reveals how the Sufi poet’s words can guide us through spiritual and ecological crisis. The minds of two mystics intermingle in a work of inspired vision and clarity. Jalalud-Din Rumi, enlightened spiritualist poet of Sufism, has been venerated by Moslems everywhere since his death in 1273. No other poet in history—not even Shakespeare or Dante—has made so exalted and comprehensive an impact on his own civilization. In the latter part of the 20th century he has become, for people of every race and creed, the poet of the new mystical Renaissance that is slowly but surely coming to its flowering. No one has done more than Andrew Harvey to spread popular awareness of Rumi’s message. Himself a charismatic mystic, he has spent the last 20 years of his life in search of the essential truths that could transform the spiritual barrenness at the heart of modern Western civilization. In his books Love’s Fire and Speaking Flame he has re-created Rumi’s poems with a brilliance that speaks eloquently to us today. The Way of Passion draws on the poems to present a guide to the contemporary spiritual and ecological crisis. Each chapter, Harvey tells us, is “a dance, a dance of mirrors, in which essential spiritual themes return to be reflected in different constellations and harmonies, a dance around Rumi and that mystery of Love he lived and expressed so completely.” Inspired by Rumi’s voice and by his own startling ability to see into the innermost heart of life, Harvey urges us to change, to have faith and to act through Love to transform this time of Apocalypse into the time of Resurrection. The passion of his words shines from the pages with an intensity that can embrace and inspire us all.

“Can I just be Marissa, please? I want to be hilarious and sexy and smart and insanely knowledgeable about wine.” —Mindy Kaling A fresh, fun, and unpretentious guide to wine from Marissa A. Ross, official wine columnist for Bon Appétit. Does the thought of having to buy wine for a dinner party stress you out? Is your go-to strategy to pick the bottle with the coolest label? Are you tired of choosing pairings based on your wallet, instead of your palate? Fear not! Bon Appétit wine columnist and Wine. All The Time. blogger Marissa A. Ross is here to help. In this utterly accessible yet comprehensive guide to wine, Ross will walk you through the ins and outs of wine culture. Told in her signature comedic voice, with personal anecdotes woven in among its lessons, Wine. All the Time. will teach you to sip confidently, and make you laugh as you're doing it. In Wine. All The Time., you’ll learn how to: • Describe what you’re drinking, and recognize your preferences • Find the best bottle for you budget and occasion • Read and understand what’s written on a wine label • Make the perfect pairings between what you’re drinking and what you’re eating • Throw the best damn dinner party your guests will ever attend • And much more

'Drunk or sober, king or soldier, none will be excluded' Sensual, profound, delighted, wise, Hafez's poems have enchanted their readers for more than 600 years. One of the greatest figures of world literature, he remains today the most popular poet in modern Iran. Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. Rumi (1207-73). Rumi's Selected Poems is available in Penguin Classics.

“Never before has the delight and wonder experienced in young love, in which is implicit physical discovery, been conveyed with such touching honesty or with rhapsody so involving unconscious pathos. Those who seek to drag any honest writing through the gutters of their own minds will do the same with this. Those who are not afraid of the strange miracle of life will understand this brave verse.” —William Rose Benét