Windward: Poems by Abbas Kiarostami

Author: Abbas Kiarostami (Iran)
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In China, Abbas Kiarostami is a beloved filmmaker, but in Iran, he is not only a filmmaker but also a poet. His poetic writing began much earlier than other artistic pursuits. The collection Whispering Wind includes 22 poems written in Persian by Kiarostami. His poetry draws upon the long-standing and profound tradition of Persian poetry, often rooted in philosophy or contemplation, but in terms of form, it "declares a break with the formal characteristics of the glorious poetic tradition that has endured for a thousand years," achieving complete freedom in rhyme and meter. Thus, he is known as "one of the most radical poets of his generation—or of the century." It is not difficult to sense the poetic sensibility of this director-author through his films, and reading his poems makes us first notice those cinematic moments. The quiet and simple imagery of Kiarostami's films once reawakened our imagination and reflection; this time, it is his words—those brief, swift, and but keenly observant lines—that place us between heaven and earth, allowing us to re-examine the things and scenes around us and grasp the poetic essence of the everyday world. Whispering Wind, in the form of poetry, showcases an artist's focused and meticulous gaze on a world filled with subtle differences; it grafts the enduring aspirations of the finest Persian poets of antiquity onto contemporary anxieties, guiding us toward a new way of thinking, writing, and speaking. Kiarostami is also a photographer, and we have selected over twenty of his photographic works to open and close the collection, presenting his "desire to make those moments of passion or pain eternal in some way." In today's fast-paced and restless era, Kiarostami's poetry, photographs, and films can cleanse the pollutants from our eyes and minds, allowing us to once again quietly listen, attentively watch, and deeply contemplate the people and events around us.