A Wolf Lying in Wait: Selected Poems

A Wolf Lying in Wait features selected poems by renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, translated from Persian into English. The collection spans multiple decades of Kiarostami's poetic work, offering readers entry into this lesser-known aspect of his creative output. The poems follow the haiku-like style common in Persian poetry, with brief verses that capture moments in nature and daily life. Many pieces focus on scenes from rural Iran, while others explore universal experiences through stark imagery and precise observation. The translation by Karim Emami and Michael Beard maintains the spare, direct quality of Kiarostami's original Persian text. Notes and commentary provide context about Persian poetic traditions and Kiarostami's approach to the form. These poems reveal themes of solitude, transience, and the intersection of human experience with the natural world. The collection demonstrates how Kiarostami's poetic vision aligns with and diverges from his celebrated work in cinema.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Abbas Kiarostami's overall work: Readers appreciate Kiarostami's poetry collections and films for their contemplative pacing and attention to everyday moments. Many note how his work encourages active viewer participation rather than passive consumption. What readers liked: - Simple yet meaningful observations of life - Ability to find beauty in ordinary situations - Thought-provoking questions without forced answers - Subtle character development - Natural dialogue and performances What readers disliked: - Slow pace can feel tedious - Minimal plot progression - Abstract endings leave too many questions - Can seem pretentious or overly philosophical - Some find the documentary-style filming dull From Goodreads: - "Walking with the Wind" (poetry collection): 4.2/5 from 89 ratings - "Wind and Leaf" (poetry collection): 4.1/5 from 65 ratings One reader noted: "His poems capture fleeting moments with remarkable clarity, just like his films." Another commented: "The deliberate pacing tests patience but rewards careful attention." No Amazon ratings available for English translations of his books.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran This collection blends Eastern philosophical wisdom with poetic imagery in short, contemplative pieces that mirror Kiarostami's minimalist style.

Present Tense: Poets in the World by Mark Pawlak The poems examine everyday moments and observations through a lens of Eastern and Western cultural intersections.

The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks These translations capture the spiritual and natural world observations that characterize Persian poetic traditions.

After the Rain by Issa These haiku focus on nature and fleeting moments in life, sharing Kiarostami's attention to small details and quiet observations.

The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda This collection employs spare language and philosophical inquiry to explore existence through simple yet profound questions about nature and life.

🎬 Abbas Kiarostami was primarily known as an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker, directing masterpieces like "Taste of Cherry" and "Close-Up," before his poetry gained international recognition 📝 The poems in "A Wolf Lying in Wait" were originally written in Persian and later translated into English by Karim Emami and Michael Beard 🌿 Many of the poems in the collection reflect Kiarostami's signature minimalist style, often focusing on simple observations of nature and everyday moments 🎨 Kiarostami was also an accomplished photographer, and his visual artistry influences the imagery in his poetry, creating vivid snapshots of life through words 📚 The collection's title poem, "A Wolf Lying in Wait," exemplifies Kiarostami's ability to blend natural imagery with deeper metaphysical questions about existence and perception