About
Islamic poet and essayist known for Ramadan Sonnets, Dawn Visions, and other works. Also a librettist for operas and musical plays, he worked on such theatrical projects as Bliss Apocalypse and Meeting in Mecca.
Before Fame
He lived in Boston in the 1960s and sometimes read his poems on local radio programs. He subsequently moved to San Francisco; his debut poetry collection was published by City Lights Books in 1964.
Trivia
He was the librettist for a 1968 opera entitled The Walls Are Running Blood. In 2000, he made a puppet theater piece titled, The Mystical Romance of Layla & Majnun.
Family Life
He was born in Oakland, California. He later had two children with his wife Malika.
Associated With
He was a friend of poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
