The overall title of the series is BEFORE THE MORNING BREAKS, taken from words said to have been spoken by Scheherezade to her sister:
“Wake me before the morning breaks so that I may create another story for the Sultan.”
The entire series was written in the course of a year — 2007 — and in the midst of wars in the Middle East that have troubled all our hearts for so long. In many ways they seem like the return of the horrific Crusades which persisted off and on for 200 years and were never peaceably settled. On the contrary, bitter recriminations remained on both sides.
Will we be able to learn from this experience? Or are we doomed to repeat the same mistakes? So far there is little indication of any resolution.
My sources were several reputable books on the subject plus a lot of internet research. Maaloof’s well known study, “The Crusades Through Arab Eyes” helped me the most to understand the less-known viewpoint.
I hope the poems are helpful to readers in interpreting what goes on now and will minimize or eliminate prejudices.
I am eager for readers’ responses.
Jean Gerard, November 2009, Cambria, Ca.
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