Hafez

Hafez was a 14th-century Persian poet, associated with Shiraz and with the Sufi tradition. He wrote in Persian and is best known by his pen name, Hafez. The background data identifies him as a lyric poet, and the Wikipedia excerpt places him at the center of Persian literary history.

His poetry moves between personal lyricism and a mystical, Sufi-inflected tone. Based on the data, poetry is his main form, and his work is read as layered writing that invites interpretation, commentary, and close attention to imagery and meaning. The tradition around Hafez is not only about reading the poems, but also learning them by heart and returning to them as part of everyday speech and culture.

A good place to start is The Divān of Hafez, which brings together his poetry and gives you the core of his work. If you want a more guided entry, Hafez, by Sayeh is another option from the list. He is a strong fit for readers who like compact, layered poetry, mystical writing, and a classic literary voice that still feels central in Persian culture.