Rather than simply a collection of poems, Rain and Embers takes the reader on a journey. Feelings of isolation and despair are brought forth with honesty. Love and acceptance are also portrayed pointedly. While primarily conveying the plight of refugees, this collection is fitting for anyone that has ever felt displaced or struggled with their identity.
Excellent word choice and use of metaphors highlight the main themes of the poetic story. Ali Nuri also makes use of line breaks, spacing and even intentionally crossed out words to add emotion to the verses. These typically worked well, however the use of vertical wording and some of the spacing felt clumsy amidst the rest of the writings.
Rain and Embers provides a glimpse into the mind of a migrant that leaves a difficult but familiar land for the unknown. The struggles, sacrifices, and even joys that Ali Nuri relates are worthy of sharing a place in any poetry lover’s collection.
