Far too few U.S. based poets have had long-term interest and involvement in Arabic culture. Given that Pierre Joris is one of those few, this collection of essays, translations, ruminations, and encounters provides a timely opportunity to engage with someone whose own poetics have been formed by this immersion and familiarity. This collection traverses decades at the crossroads of political, linguistic, cultural, and experiential collision, collusion, and cooperation, providing readers ready to journey through this terrain much to contemplate and learn about. Ammiel Alcalay