Description
Like threads of gold patching up an old jar, Baran’s poems remind us of the connections between language and country, self-hood and family, fictions and truths. At times unnerving in their intimacy, at others, elusive in their symbolism, these poems both delight and disturb, which, surely, is the purpose of poetry. Woven Frays is an astonishing debut and I look forward to reading more from this fine poet. — Rashida Murphy
Rostamian’s poems speak with a finely tuned defiance. The voice crackles, spits and purrs. Her poetry captures the everyday moments where something suddenly matters. Woven Frays makes you feel the sharp pain of being overwhelmed by the world’s demands, and then the duller pain of its disappointments. But through all this there is an electricity generated by the surprise of hope and the possibilities of the word. — Tony Hughes-D’Aeth
Baran Rostamian’s debut, Woven Frays, marks a refreshing, exuberant entrance into the Australian poetry landscape. Experimental, unpredictable and unapologetic, these poems are vivid in their observations of environmental worlds and interior lives. Rostamian wields the poetic line with deft skill, and her lyrics unveil contemporary life with bare abstractions and vibrant imagery. This new voice attends to the world with a dry and ironic wit, weaving her subjects together from pieces that were once frayed, or broken. — Amy Lin
BARAN ROSTAMIAN is a writer and law student, living on unceded Whadjuk Noongar Boodja where she was not born.
She recognises there is privilege in being able to speak your mind. She is fascinated, dumbfounded and disgusted by the way and the why of things. She believes it is important to show love.
Baran’s writing has been published in Australian Poetry Anthology Vol. 9, Singapore Review of Books, SBS Voices, The Tiger Moth Review, Limina journal, Books+Publishing magazine, Pulch Mag, Ignite Vol. 6, Damsel Magazine, at the Raine Square Short Story Dispenser and in Centre for Stories’ JOURNAL, and anthologies, To Hold the Clouds and Under the Paving Stones, the Beach.
You can find her on Instagram @baran.com.au.
About Green Leaves / Red River
Green Leaves / Red River is a collaboration between Centre for Stories and Red River. The project supports eight poets from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to publish their first book of poetry. The project also provides editorial fellowships to emerging editors. It has been made possible with funding from the West Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
The series is a collaboration that connects people from different cities with different histories and different experiences, all towards creating a poetic culture that is distinct and unique. With a focus on artistic excellence, Green Leaves / Red River nurtures new voices and supports poets no matter their place in the world. It is a way to share opportunities, to think in an original way, and to continue making poetry visible and valued.
We are proud of the work we can do based here in New Delhi and Perth, and acknowledge the traditional owners of both places. Thanks to the readers and dedicated to all the poets out there, Green Leaves / Red River will entertain, intrigue and enlighten you.