Standing on Earth

I'm not standing in this long line for bread and milk.I'm standing here to turn over my language.Everything gets lighter when it crosses the border.I'm standing here to be translated.
- from section VI, “The Poem”

This was a very difficult collection of poetry for me, so I'm not going to give it a rating, as there are entire pages where I absolutely did not understand what Emadi was trying to say. Though the prose was beautiful when I did understand it! How much more would I have appreciated this if I were better at poetry and metaphor (I went in knowing it was about the author's exile from Iran, and basically nothing else, so the repeated symbols of snow, horses, kisses, and the poem-as-object are largely lost on me).

So look into my eyesas you pack your bagsand say your goodbyes.Without regretyou will carry the joy of your last cigaretteuntil the train starts to leave,because truth is the child of regretand I don't want to be your truth.
- from “The moon always shines in vain”

I would recommend it if you enjoy reading poetry! These are a few of the verses that jumped out at me; there was still plenty to like even if the collection as a whole was a little over my head.

On your planet, an apple falls from the treeand Newton discovers the laws of gravity.On my planet, the telephone rings.Newton picks up the receiver,is hurled into the air,and gets stuck in the branches of a tree.I prefer to siton the principles of natural philosophyand bitefloating apples —which is to say,I want to weep a little.
- part I, “Laws of Gravity”