Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir was a tenth-century Sufi mystic who was a forerunner of Rumi by over 200 years on the same path of surrender to God. This paperback contains "renditions" of 195 short poems from the original Farsi translated by Vraje Abramian.

In the opening poem, Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir writes: "If you are in prayers in Mecca and your / heart is elsewhere, / you might as well be in an idol-worshipper's temple. / If your heart is with the Beloved, / spend your life in His wine shop and be merry." The Sufi path has to do with total adoration for the Beloved and joy is its constant refrain. Therefore watch out what you do with your heart.

Does the Sufi worry about what the in-crowd is thinking or what lies on the horizon? No. "The sum total of our life is a breath / spent in the company of the Beloved," writes Abil-Kheir. This love affair is all consuming and even time is transformed into a breath.

This mystic believes that during life on earth, the Sufi knows contentment because she is not bothered by the craving for something more, better, or different. And death — "The light on your face, / you will take with you. / All else, your sorrows, your joys / and all that you lay claim on, / you will leave behind. / The light on your face, / that you will take." What a beautiful image!

The poet leaves the best for last as he ponders the radiance of love for the Beloved and how it permeates all our relationships: "If you are seeking closeness to the Beloved, / love everyone. / Whether in their presence or absence, / see only their good. / If you want to be as clear and refreshing as / the breath of the morning breeze, / like the sun have nothing but warmth and light for everyone." Let Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir's lovely poems bring you closer to the Beloved.