Garden In A Seed

I was so happy when Nazanin Mirsadeghi got in touch to offer me a review copy of her powerful new poetry collection, Garden In A Seed, which is beautifully complemented by Nasim Etemad's graceful illustrations. Mirsadeghi's previous collection, a jarful of moonlight, was one of the highlights of my reading last year so I approached Garden In A Seed with high hopes. I am delighted to say that I wasn't disappointed! This poet has such an amazing talent for cutting straight to the heart of her themes with just a few perfectly chosen words and, it is fair to say, I do harbour some envy!

The collection comprises mostly short verses, some barely longer than haiku, yet I could understand and empathise fully with every emotion portrayed. Garden In A Seed is very much a woman's journey through love and life, though that's not to say that male readers would not appreciate this poetry too. None of the poems are individually titled, but they are grouped by theme which allows the whole book to tell a profound story of overcoming a failed love affair, regrouping emotionally, and finding joy in new romance.

I will quote two of the poems that really spoke to me to give a flavour of Garden In A Seed and enthusiastically urge all other poetry fans reading this review to give the work a try. Nazanin Mirsadeghi has cemented herself as one of my absolute favourite poets with Garden In A Seed.

You can look at and old rotten bridge and see nothing but lumber and rope

or you can wonder where it goes

You think I have to follow you everywhere you go

sit if you sit run if you run fall when you fall

I will stand still and tall I am not your shadow on the wall