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As early as the dedication of this book (“To nothingness and nothing else”), this volume of poetry sets itself apart as out of the ordinary. Touching on modern subjects like city life, a bachelor’s reminiscence of failed romance, and the author’s humble roots in Egypt, these verses present a balance of cherished romanticism and jaded nihilism. There is a heavy theme of loss throughout, whether it’s time that can’t be earned back, lovers who refuse to return, or youthful confidence wounded by the challenges of life and adulthood. Each poem tells its own unique story, albeit with a similar worldview and approach, so that the poems can be read over time or in succession without any confusion.
Containing fewer than a dozen poems, this book still has some heft to it due to a style that many Western readers may not immediately think of when they picture poetry. Each of the larger poems in this book is broken up into numbered pages, ranging from just two or three lines to a dozen, creating a sort of poem within a poem. On their own, these micropoems hold the same emotional weight and are written with carefully chosen words and meter, but when combined, they form narratives that tell very personal stories. The poet also includes footnotes for ideas that do not easily translate or are only recognizable by specific cultures, ranging from neighborhoods in Egypt to French literature to American television. This is poetry that targets a perhaps underserved audience. It can come off as defeatist or regretful at times but certainly not apathetic. The emotion and craftsmanship of these poems are powerful and worth experiencing whether or not one might immediately identify with the subject matter.