[austintorn@aol.com]

Prof,

The Persa-fume cannot be bought,
but emanates from certain old books
or arises from Omar Khayyam's grave site in Persia, now Iran…



or, as I say,

— Omar’s Persia-Fume —

Through his Rubàiyàt, I sense enchantment,
Essence distilled by the translator’s scent;
Recomposed from Khayyàm’s dust and spirit,
Potent elixirs escape interment!



For an old book,
use your professorship to gain entry
to the Bodleian Library at Oxford
near closing time…



…then steal into the rare books sections and hide;
then, after you hear the locks slip into place,
enter the rear room just before the lasers go on.
You will see this fellow
who is Omar's ghost or perhaps is actually him…



…or just keep reading my story
and be overtaken unawares by the fumes…