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    257 Results with the "Poetry" genre


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      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Twelve Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American navigating life in the Midwest during the post-9/11 era, where he grapples with xenophobia and cultural alienation. Cyrus perceives natural phenomena like storms and sunlight as personal affronts, reflecting his broader sense of isolation. His upbringing is marked by microaggressions, such as a math teacher’s racist joke and a social studies teacher’s condescending remarks about U.S. intervention in the Middle East. These experiences highlight…
    • Chapter Thirteen Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Roya Shams, a woman living in Tehran in 1987, who reflects on her ambivalence toward life and the constraints of her marriage. She describes her limited personal freedoms, cherishing small moments of solitude like sipping tea or doodling, which stand in stark contrast to her domestic responsibilities. Roya’s husband, Ali, is friends with Gilgamesh, a police officer, and the two men take annual trips to Rasht, leaving Roya briefly free from the exhaustion of constant scrutiny.…
    • Story

      Martyr!

      Martyr! Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin “Martyr!” is a thought-provoking poetry collection by Kaveh Akbar that explores themes of faith, spirituality, identity, and self-sacrifice. Through powerful, evocative language, Akbar delves into the internal conflict between religious devotion and the human experience, especially focusing on the concept of martyrdom—the tension between surrendering oneself for a cause and the self-affirmation of personal identity. Akbar uses his poems to interrogate the nature of…
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      Cyrus Shams

      Cyrus Shams Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Cyrus Shams, a disheveled and drug-addled young man, lying in his squalid Indiana apartment, desperately seeking a sign from God. After years of silence, he interprets a flickering light bulb as a potential divine message, though he questions whether it’s a miracle or just faulty wiring. Cyrus reflects on the unfairness of biblical figures like Muhammad and Saul, who received unambiguous revelations, while he is left grasping for clarity. His longing for a tangible connection with…
    • Chapter

      Chapter One

      Chapter One Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Cyrus, a medical actor at Keady University Hospital who portrays dying patients or grieving family members for medical students to practice difficult conversations. He finds purpose in inhabiting various roles, from Sally Gutierrez, a mother losing her daughter, to Buck Stapleton, a Catholic coach facing his wife's brain death. The job requires him to calibrate emotional responses based on pain scales while evaluating students' empathy through score sheets. Cyrus enjoys the…
    • Chapter Eighteen: Roya Shams/Mom Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator's vivid description of Leila, a woman whose striking presence transcends conventional beauty. Her sunglasses, confident demeanor, and animated conversation about eclectic topics make her magnetic, almost otherworldly. The taxi driver’s distracted driving underscores her allure, while her unfiltered cigarettes and casual defiance of norms—like removing her scarf—hint at her rebellious nature. The narrator is captivated, observing Leila as if she were a force of…
    • Chapter Nineteen Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Cyrus Shams meets Zee Novak at a Brooklyn café called Daylight, braving the cold for an outdoor conversation. His mind races after a puzzling encounter with Orkideh, who inexplicably referenced his mother’s death in a plane crash—a detail he never shared with her. The café patio buzzes with activity: a woman smokes elegantly, bearded men ignore their drinks, and a waiter navigates the chaos. Cyrus hopes Zee will help him break his cyclical thoughts about Orkideh’s cryptic knowledge, signaling…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Twenty

      Chapter Twenty Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter follows Cyrus and Zee in Brooklyn as they spend a quiet evening together, ordering pizza and watching TV in their hotel. Zee reflects on the luxury of doing nothing in a city full of possibilities, framing it as an "opportunity cost" that feels opulent. Their banter over pineapple on pizza leads to a playful debate about botanical versus culinary terms, showcasing their easy camaraderie. The scene is intimate and relaxed, with the pair enjoying each other's company while watching *The Office*…
    • Chapter Twenty-one: Ali Shams Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Cyrus Shams in Brooklyn, attempting to call his friend Zee but hesitating to leave a message. His hands tremble uncontrollably, reflecting his inner turmoil. The narrative then shifts to memories of his father Ali's funeral, where only a handful of people attended, including his high school teacher, ex-girlfriend, and friends. Cyrus recalls the somber atmosphere and the scent of wet soil, a sensory memory that lingers with him. His uncle Arash's absence is noted, along with the later…
    • Chapter Twenty-two Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Cyrus dreaming of Orkideh, a bald woman with bushy eyebrows and oversized sunglasses, walking through a luxurious mall alongside President Invective, who struggles to keep pace. Orkideh appears amused by his discomfort, while Invective, clad in an ill-fitting suit, pants heavily despite carrying nothing. Cyrus reflects on his tendency to involuntarily include repulsive figures in his dreams, such as past bullies or infamous criminals, suggesting a subconscious grappling with…
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