Iran and the Persian language have a profound poetic tradition that stretches over a thousand years, from the 10th century through the 17th century and continues to flourish today.
Nima Yushij (1896-1959) stands as a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern Persian poetry, his groundbreaking innovations continuing to influence contemporary poets. Despite these modern developments, traditional forms such as the ghazal, ghasideh, and roba’i remain significant.
Today’s Persian poetry often addresses social and political issues, with women poets making notable contributions.
In 1996, Mahmud Kianush published “Modern Persian Poetry,” a collection of 129 poems by 43 poets, all translated into English by Kianush himself. The book includes an extensive critical introduction, biographies of the poets, and detailed notes on the poems.
Selected Poems from this Collection
Click on the title to view the entire Poem