HAFEZ: “The Logical Song”
I – “LOGICAL” Supertramp: that’s the key word to this Blog. I have always, always loved “The Logical Song” by Supertramp (see link below to the song.) The concept of a childhood of fantasy and dreams coming to a screaching halt in a world exalting “logical” existence and analytical being. In our childhood education, we even “analyze” art and literature – rather than nourish the child’s heart and imagination. We “study” the greats – not “feel” them, and encourage creativity. We ask the child to use it’s head to understand art! So… this song always resonated with me. I found a YouTube clip that’s nicely made and might entertain you, too, and pasted it below.
II – “LOGICAL” HAFEZ: Logical people are also the key to today’s beyt – which is one of the ones that made me fall in love with Hafez, years ago. The magic would just pop at me with this one, even though my Persian was limited at the time. “Aghelan” are the Logical folks, who Hafez fires a warning shot at, here. But wow, how beautifully… Hafez conjures up for us an image of a perfect circle, which of course, a “logical” person can draw immaculately. Not only that, he assigns the position of the focal point of the compass that draws this circle, to the “logical” person – that’s how key his role is!! (or so he thinks) Because with his “vali”/”but” Hafez reminds us that Love knows that Logic alone will simply have this perfect man going around in his own immaculately drawn circles!!
عاقلان نقطه پرگار وجودند ولی
عشق داند که در این دایره سرگردانند
Aghelan noghteh-yeh pargar-eh vojoudand
Vali eshgh danad keh dar in Dayereh sar gardanand
The wise may be the focal point of the compass of existence, drawing perfect circles
But “love” knows that they run the danger of forever running around in circles
SENSIBLE, LOGICAL, RESPONSIBLE, PRACTICAL
vs.
WONDERFUL, MIRACLE, BEAUTIFUL, MAGICAL
Here’s to a life that doesn’t fall, as Supertramp sing, into one what’s solely “sensible”/ “logical”/ “responsible” / “practical” — a life where we makes sure we maintain the “wonderful”, “miracle”, “beautiful”, and my favorite: the “magical”!!
Link to Supertramp Video: