11 stories
Dalston Desires
Poet Chiamaka performs at a Dalston open mic night and catches the eye of Zaraโa thick Ghanaian music producer who wants to collaborate in more ways than one.
Deptford Dreams
Spoken word poet Kezia performs at Deptford open mics, but when aspiring writer James asks to interview her, she shows him that some poetry is performed between sheets, not on stages.
Hammana Poet's Retreat | ุฎููุฉ ุดุงุนุฑ ุญู ุงูุง
She runs an artist residency in the house where Gibran once visited in Hammana. He's the poet who's lost his words. In the home of inspiration, they find it in each other. 'Inti el muse el wahidi' (ุฃูุชู ุงูุฅููุงู ุฉ ุงููุญูุฏุฉ).
Hamra Bookshop Blues | ุญุฒู ู ูุชุจุฉ ุงูุญู ุฑุง
She runs the last independent bookshop on Hamra Street. He's the poet who reads there every Thursday. Between pages, they write their own story. 'Kilmatak ahla min ay kteb' (ููู ุงุชู ุฃุญูู ู ู ุฃู ูุชุงุจ).
Nahr Ibrahim Adonis River | ููุฑ ุฅุจุฑุงููู ุนุดุชุงุฑ
She studies the Adonis myth at its source on Nahr Ibrahim. He's the poet seeking the same ancient passion. In waters that run red with legend, they write their own story. 'Inti el mayy el hamra' (ุฃูุชู ุงูู ูู ุงูุญู ุฑุฉ).
ุฏูุฑูุณู ุงูุฌูู ูููุฉู ุงูุงูุณูู ููููุฉู | The Lesson of the Nominal Sentence
A poet in medieval Shiraz learns the grammar of being through ุงูุฌู ูุฉ ุงูุงุณู ูุฉ, as she discovers that existence begins with naming.
ุฏูุฑูุณู ุงูู ูุฏูุญู ููุงูุฐููู ูู | The Lesson of Praise and Blame
A court poet in medieval Fez learns the grammar of judgment through ุงูู ุฏุญ ูุงูุฐู , as she navigates the dangerous art of praising tyrants and blaming fools.
The Spoken Word Professor
Professor Celestine teaches the power of voice at Spelman. When a visiting poet challenges her classroom, she discovers some verses need no audience.
New Cross Nectar
Spoken word artist Folake commands stages across New Cross. When music producer Derek offers to record her poetry, she shows him that her best work happens off the mic.
The Caliph's Concubine of Cairo | ุฌูุงุฑูููุฉู ุงูุฎููููููุฉู ูู ุงูููุงููุฑูุฉ
In the Fatimid palace, a concubine destined for the Caliph's bed finds her heart stolen by a palace poet, igniting a passion that threatens empires.
The Poet's Muse of Baghdad | ู ูููููู ูุฉู ุงูุดูุงุนูุฑู ูู ุจูุบูุฏุงุฏ
In the golden age of Baghdad, a renowned poet discovers his greatest inspiration in the arms of a palace courtesan whose body becomes the canvas for his most passionate verses.