Publisher's Synopsis
They strip search our dignity,
our flag of identity wavering in
gusts of uniform, puppet hands
ransack our suitcases as
they bleach my father's heart.
With both hands, this collection pulls you into the emotive and developing stance of an Iraqi refugee. Continuous themes of fire and water accentuate both the trauma and desperate potential of people fleeing areas of conflict. Based on her own heritage, Zara takes us through an honest and powerful history, threading a global language, too often left unspoken.
"Often bittersweet, regularly tinged with nostalgia and sometimes blade sharp, Zara Al-Noah creates a complex latticework of longing, love and loss in this poised and beautiful collection of poems." - Jen Feroze, Author of The Colour of Hope
Zara Al-Noah lives in the UK and is a medic in the NHS. She is happiest in wellies, exploring the countryside with her husband and two small children. Her mixed heritage includes Iraqi descent. This, alongside her extensive travels, is the basis of her passion for writing. Flooding A Matchbox is her first collection of poetry.
