From Saadi’s Bustan: The Selfish Man and the Baghdad Fire
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
Poet • Essayist • Educator • Consultant
Take refuge on this path
the page gives you to roam.
Hunker down against
the shadow cast by prayer
and build yourself a line
that won’t efface itself.
Language is not wine.
You cannot pour it freely.
Featured Posts
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On My Desk Now: Some Tentative Thoughts on Confronting Antisemitism in America
Last week, I attended an anti-antisemitism training workshop in my neighborhood cosponsored by Malkhut and Jews for Racial and Economic
From Saadi’s Bustan: A Noble Man Suffers With The Victims of a Famine
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
Of Note: May 11, 2026
A weekly roundup of articles about what’s going on in the world that you might not otherwise be reading.
Sometimes Resisting Means Recommitting Yourself To What You’re Already Doing
Over the last four years that I’ve been reading the statement, however, and especially since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, it has become an affirmation that gathering as we do every month is itself a form of resistance that we should not take for granted.
From Saadi’s Bustan: The Hermit Theophilus and the Tyrant
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
It All Connects
From Saadi’s Bustan: The Selfish Man and the Baghdad Fire
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
On My Desk Now: Some Tentative Thoughts on Confronting Antisemitism in America
Last week, I attended an anti-antisemitism training workshop in my neighborhood cosponsored by Malkhut and Jews for Racial and Economic
paid-only post
From Saadi’s Bustan: A Noble Man Suffers With The Victims of a Famine
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
Of Note: May 11, 2026
A weekly roundup of articles about what’s going on in the world that you might not otherwise be reading.
Sometimes Resisting Means Recommitting Yourself To What You’re Already Doing
Over the last four years that I’ve been reading the statement, however, and especially since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, it has become an affirmation that gathering as we do every month is itself a form of resistance that we should not take for granted.
From Saadi’s Bustan: The Hermit Theophilus and the Tyrant
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
Of Note: May 3, 2026
A weekly roundup of articles about what’s going on in the world that you might not otherwise be reading.
On The Trail of a Tale - Part Four: How I Came to Play a Very Small Role in Saadi’s Travels Through the World
What persuaded me to accept ISIC’s commission, however, was thinking about the generations of Iranian Americans, like my son, who did not read Persian. They deserved, I thought, access to a version of that heritage that would “sing” in their dominant tongue the way the original “sang” in Persian.
From Saadi’s Bustan: The Emperor of Rum Enjoined to Endure His Burdens
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran
Of Note: April 26, 2026
A weekly roundup of articles about what's going on in the world that you might not otherwise be reading.
Four by Four #54
Four Things To Read, Four Things To See, Four Things To Listen To, and Four Things About Me
From Saadi’s Bustan: Takla Is Deterred From Abdication
A Weekly Poem from 13th Century Iran