“I Will Write”—Homage to Ángel Guinda and Mahsa Amini
In this inaugural issue of Poetry Markaz we present the late Ángel Guinda's poem "Escribir" in honor of #Mahsa Amini.
Poetry
Poem for Tunisia: “Court of Nothing”
Farah Abdessamad responds to Tunisia's July 25 constitutional referendum with a poem for her country.
Poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Dasht-e-Tanhai”—A Desert Soundscape
Multimedia artist Mara Ahmed translates and reads Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Urdu classic, composed while in prison.
Poems of Palestinian Motherhood, Loss, Desire and Hope
Eman Quotah reviews the new poetry collection from Palestinian poet Maya Abu-Alhayyat, translated by Fady Joudah.
A Poet and Librarian Catalogs Life in Gaza
Eman Quotah reviews "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza" — the debut poetry collection of Mosab Abu Toha.
Three Poems from Asmaa Azaizeh
Haifa-based poet Asmaa Azaizeh explores personal themes of family, language and memory.
Zajal — the Darija Poets of Morocco
Author and Darija translator Deborah Kapchan recalls her friendship with two of Morocco's greatest contemporary poets.
Three Poems of Love and Desire by Nouri Al-Jarrah
Three poems of love and desire, composed in Beirut during the darkest days of the civil war, and war within war, by exiled Syrian poet Nouri al-Jarrah.
Three Love Poems by Rumi, Translated by Haleh Liza Gafori
Iranian American poet and translator Haleh Liza Gafori presents a new volume of Rumi translations in "GOLD" published by NYRB Classics.
Two Poems by Sophia Armen
L.A. Armenian poet and activist Sophia Armen is an American original.
L.A. Story: Poems from Laila Halaby
Poet and novelist Laila Halaby writes her Los Angeles experience in a cascade of words that indelibly capture moments and memories.
Poetic Justice: 70+ Contemporary Poets of Morocco
Amazigh Moroccan poet El Habib Louai reviews a recent anthology that has warmed the hearts of English-reading Moroccans during the pandemic.
Poetry: In Search of Lost Places, 5 by Mbarek Sryfi
Moroccan American poet and writer Mbarek Sryfi reads from his work in an exclusive video prepared for The Markaz Review.
Refugee Dreams — Three Poems by Meral Şimşek
A poet whose writings and identity are contested by her own government reads three poems from her book "Refugee Dreams" in the original Turkish.
Etel Adnan’s Sun and Sea: In Remembrance
Art critic Arie Amaya-Akkermans summons the gods of art and poetry as he reviews the life work of the late polymath Etel Adnan, 1925-2021.