249 Results with the "Poetry" genre


    • 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…
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      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Ten Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter depicts the narrator's life working at an industrial chicken breeder farm in Fort Wayne, where the chickens are genetically modified for rapid growth and efficiency, stripped of immune systems to maximize productivity. The narrator describes the sterile, laboratory-like environment, contrasting it with traditional farming imagery. Their daily routine involves meticulous biosecurity measures, including showering and wearing scrubs to prevent contamination. The chickens, referred to as…
    • 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…
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