Header Background Image

    257 Results with the "Poetry" genre


    • Chapter

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Seven Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin
    • 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 Twenty-eight Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter explores the concept of grace through the perspective of Roya Shams, a woman who narrowly escaped death when her plane was mistakenly shot down by the USS *Vincennes*. Roya reflects on grace as an unearned gift, contrasting it with justice, which is transactional. She recounts how she traded passports with her lover, Leila, to help her flee Iran, only for Leila to perish in the crash instead. Roya grapples with the guilt of surviving while Leila died, framing her second chance at life as an…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Eight Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Zee Novak reflecting on her early relationship with Cyrus during their time at Keady University in 2014. Set against the backdrop of an unpredictable Indiana spring, Zee recalls working at Green Nile and selling weed while Cyrus worked at Jade Café. Their lives revolved around drinking and casual dating, a period before Cyrus’s sobriety and Zee’s eventual decision to stop drinking in solidarity. Zee hints at the growing emotional labor she invested in Cyrus, a realization that…
    • 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 Twenty-nine Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Orkideh, Martyr!" reflects on the narrator's life through a lens of gratitude and acceptance. Despite acknowledging that happiness was not a constant state, the speaker emphasizes experiencing profound joy, particularly during moments shared with Leila. This perspective challenges conventional notions of tragedy, suggesting that even a life cut short can be rich in meaning if it contained genuine happiness. The tone is introspective yet defiant, rejecting pity in favor of celebrating the…
    • Chapter Nine: Bobby Sands Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Cyrus Shams, a young Iranian-American man, confessing his preoccupation with death to artist Orkideh during an encounter at the Brooklyn Museum. He awkwardly reveals his fascination with historical figures like Bobby Sands who died for their beliefs, contrasting their meaningful deaths with his own existential uncertainty. Orkideh, a terminally ill cancer patient conducting a living exhibition called "DEATH-SPEAK," listens intently while subtly challenging Cyrus's romanticized…
    • 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*…
    • 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…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Thirty

      Chapter Thirty Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Cyrus Shams waiting on a park bench in Brooklyn, lost in thought as he anticipates meeting Sang Linh. His disheveled appearance and anxious demeanor hint at his emotional turmoil. When Sang arrives, Cyrus immediately recognizes her despite her unassuming presence, noting her practical attire and weary expression. Their initial interaction is tentative, marked by silence and shared cigarettes, as both characters grapple with the weight of their connection through Orkideh, Cyrus’s…
    Note