Rain and Embers

Lovely read! I can’t tell which poem I’ve enjoyed the because there was far too many! But this was perfect on rainy day or for all times I’ve stayed home A great big thank you to the author please write more

The moment I saw the cover and title I was drawn in to explore what was inside. Right away, the dedication and quote showed the passion of the writer: one unafraid to share his heart and the truth of his life. From one page to the next I was impressed with the diverse topics that pulled together many aspects of life, faith, and race. It is unique in that it tells a story of darkness and light but in poetic form, making it easier and more accessible for all to read while at the same time, challenging us to look deeper. There are dualities I found throughout the book began with the title itself: Rain and Embers. Some were apparent, others I found upon reflection like in “Cultural Chimera” in which the author finds himself a duality of language, of roots, of race, and “Ode to Your Wings” where he uniquely shares life and death, strangers and intimacies, hiding and exposing.There is something for everyone to relate to in his writing. The similarities we share in our humanity can even be found in how we react to the differences, and Ali Nuri offers that knowledge in sharing his personal story with us. Throughout and after reading Rain and Embers, I’ve reflected on my own life, my own story, and the areas I can become a stronger person who is willing to stand up for truth, a kinder person who is more willing to help others, especially those suffering racism and oppression, a more knowledgeable person who doesn’t fear the unknown, but embraces what is right and true. This is one of the most powerfully written books I’ve read in awhile, including non-poetry books. Beginning with “To Be a Murmur” where he speaks of hiding his voice, then opening it to share the most intimate events of his life…abuse, sex, racism, beauty, and love… to “Heart-Shaped Nostalgia” (one of my all time favorites) where he writes in a reminiscently, romantically tender way about his wife.I expected to like this from the dedication itself, but was even more impressed as I continued reading. My words fall short in expressing how inspired I was with this book because its relevancy spans time and culture, uniting humanity. I bought it on my kindle and read it all (more than once), but as soon as I finished, I purchased the paperback, and I’ll read it many more times! The author has planted seeds for growth in me as an individual, in a community, and for the world.

Your personal story, which I didn’t know the finer details of until reading your bio on Amazon, is one I would have a difficult time conveying all of the feelings, emotions and experiences you’ve lived because just the act of reading each poem in, “Rain and Embers,” elicits such a powerful, visceral response within me as each piece so eloquently peels back the layers of your life and you then become a very tangible person to me with great sorrow and joy shared that I will never be able to forget the beauty that is you, which you showed us with, “Rain and Embers.”The first poem, “To Be a Murmur,” is absolutely striking and has moved me more than I can find words for. It is a poem of sadness and then the last stanza shows us hope. Your imagery draws me into your experience and my heart breaks and then finds the absolute beauty in your struggles. So stunning.Each poem brings me to my knees where I fight to take every detail of your existence you’ve laid bare into my soul and absorb who you truly are and the strength you courageously breathe into each piece as you recount, as only a gifted poet can, the stories which have made you the compassionate and altruistic person you have become.Thank you for this book. Thank you for sharing your incredible life with us... we are truly not worthy of such a gracious gesture that is your writing.

Ali Nuri weaves a colorful, (sometimes dark), tapestry throughout his poetry, intricate wordplay with expressive vehemency, illustrating and delivering an exemplary style of writing, compilations of poignant versifications describing his journey, and with innate emotion, most of us know all too well, mass dispersion from his motherland, throughout a myriad of countries and cities, devastating conflict, painful, agonizing, anguished pangs felt of simple, unpretentious folk, their humanity taken away and questioning, yet desiring a sense of belonging. His writing in matters of the heart, in culture, between East and West, ordeals and displacement, is displayed by his stalwart and pertinacious, unwavering determination as well as good nature, a refugee torn by conflict, is seen in many of his passages throughout his book. Ali Nuri's book is by far, the best poetry I've read in a long time, with many favorite poems, such as "Sumerian Wings" on Pg. 8, "Visions of Eminence" on Pg. 16, "Ballerina" on Pg. 23, "Arabian Ink" on Pg. 28 "Linear" on Pg. 57, and so many more, I will return to read over and over, each time with much fervor, again and again.Annette Nasser, Writer/Reviewer

The complexity, history, personal narrative, and raw emotion that is woven into 'Rain and Embers' makes it an extremely layered and breathtaking experience for the reader. Ali Nuri writes about his experiences with not only his soul but with his intellect--his deep knowledge of his motherland is used to create symbolism that unravels anew with each read. This book is a lot like looking at the night sky. You can look at it and certainly appreciate it for face value--as mesmerizing lights in the dark, or you can dive into the constellations and find yourself challenged by and in awe of the calculated creativity expressed with each verse. I truly cannot wait to see what he publishes next.