With special mentions and appreciation of the Arab legends Umm Kulthum, Ibn Zaydun, Princess Wallada, Naguib Mahfouz and my fave poet, Nizar Qabbani… Absolutely love this collection of poetry!!!


“She does not love you.
Your metaphors thrill her
you are her poet.
But that's all there is to it.”


“In our night she belongs to everybody and nobody. Her handkerchief, keeping the rhythm, is banner to a legion of lovers competing for the love of a person they don’t know, but her heart is none of our concern, because it is as hard and closed as a dried-up walnut.” / Umm Kulthum