I was teaching a class for Gemini Ink,  San Antonio's excellent non-profit, independent writing program, to an ethnic mixture of students uniformed in blue jeans and tee shirts, except for a dapper gentleman neatly dressed in slacks, coat, and tie.  He was distinct in other was as well, smaller and older than the other with an unfamiliar name and an unconventional accent. 

By the end of the class period, I had learned that Mo was a doctor. That was worrisome.  I had had doctors in class before, and doctors had little time to read literature or to write anything other than prescriptions.  By the second class, I had learned that Mo was Persian.  That was promising.  Persians are an ancient culture and became the poets and writers of the Islamic Empire.  Those bests known to the West are the Jewish and Christian prophets and theologians, Hafiz, a favorite of the Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rumi, founder of the Sufi order, and perhaps the best known to those who read English, Omar Khayyám. 

I also discovered that Mo wasn't a doctor who wanted to be a writer; Mo was a writer who wanted to be a doctor.  I learned from others that he was a highly regarded professional  who was loved by his patients. By the time the course was finished, I knew there was nothing I or anyone else could do to stop Mo from being a writer.  All we could do was to encourage him and stay out of his way. 

Although the classes I taught were in narrative writing, the first time I heard Mo read he read poetry.  The first time I saw Mo in print was in poetry. 

Mo has lived a wonderful life of learning and adventures in two cultures, two countries.  Adventures in education, travel, medicine, science, religion, art, and literature.  Adventures in delivering and saving lives.  And he is allowing us to share these adventures in memorable stories in prose and poetry.  This book is another sample of the riches still in store. 

Robert L. Flynn
Professor Emeritus, Trinity University
Author of 10 novels, including Jade: Outlaw and Jade: The Law