“Some poets still write about the hair and eyes and body of a beloved and depict scenes of joy when lovers meet to drink and dance and be merry. But that is not the kind of poetry that the Islamic movement, grown on the concept of jihad and martyrdom, wants.”

“A very merry, dancing, drinking,
Laughing, quaffing, and unthinkable time.”

“He found himself wanting to write poetry about how her blue eyes were like starlight and her hair like night, because "night" and "starlight" rhymed, but he had a feeling the poem wouldn't turn out that well…”

“Drink, my jolly lads, drink with discerning,
Wedlock's a lane where there is no turning;
Never was owl more blind than a lover,
Drink and be merry, lads, half seas over.”

“merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again”

“When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.”

“It’s hard to drink when you dance. And it’s hard to dance when you drink.”

“If poets spoke their poetry, they would not need to write it.”

“Dance is a song of the body. Either of joy or pain.”

“All poets write bad poetry. Bad poets publish them, good poets burn them.”