Nemidoonam

In Nemidoonam, Nasim Rebecca Asl explores the intricacies of language, identity and belonging. Her poems take us on a journey through childhood into young adulthood while weaving between a range of worlds, both in the UK and abroad. Her work flickers between natural and imagined landscapes. Readers will travel between North East England and Iran, go clubbing in Newcastle and spend time in dreams and the Caspian Sea. They’ll play childhood games, date, and consider the translation of language, the ownership of the body and what it means to belong.

‘Nasim Rebecca Asl’s debut is nothing short of dazzling. This is a cut jewel of a book that explores “such different words for love” and themes of family, home, longing, language and relationships. Formally innovative, Nemidoonam’s poems take the shape of butterflies in flight, multiple choice Mad Libs, diary entries and reimagined myths. These poems unfold like a “runway of stars”, glittering with extraordinary lyricism, musicality and lush imagery that will leave you breathless. This is a pamphlet to treasure.’

– Cynthia Miller