One Thousand and One Nights

there is nothing to be gained from regret; it changes nothing, leaves us melancholy and in pain for ever

Share your cup only
With those who are beloved and trusted,
Those pure of heart and full of grace,
For wine is delicious when shared with the sweet
But acrid and foul with men of deceit.’

Be kind to him who wrongs you

Guard your secrets closely
When they’re told they fly
If unable to keep treasures in our own heart

‘Unless you seek separation,
I beg you hold back,
Stay, jealousy destroys the very thing it loves
And such betrayal is the death of passion.’

Over the years I found myself increasingly enchanted by the art of writing, humbled by the fact that if I dipped my quill pen in the inkwell and stroked up and down I could express my feelings, each time differently, and I discovered that my handwriting would change according to the words and their meaning. I would spend hours perfecting a particular letter and I learned to form words as if I was drawing – they took the form of horses, gazelles, falcons, running rivers, long eyelashes and even lips.

God is most great!’

until we groaned with pleasure

you are a charlatan lover

Share your cup only
With those who are beloved and trusted,
Those pure of heart and full of grace,
For wine is delicious when shared with the sweet
But acrid and foul with men of deceit.’