Four Drops of Blood

Four Drops of Blood is a collection of poems by Alireza Azar, a talented contemporary poet, considered among his newest works. This hundred-page collection, published by Nimaj Publications, includes poems by Alireza Azar that follow a classical style. Alireza Azar is one of those poets who, because of his admiration for various Persian poets, is also well-versed in diverse styles. From Forugh Farrokhzad and Hossein Monzavi to Saeb, Saadi, and Hafez, he has expressed his love for all these poets and strived to understand and emulate their poetic styles. He has been successful in this endeavor, exploring forms such as ghazal, mathnavi, chahar-pareh, and free verse, excelling in each. He even possesses a special skill in songwriting, with some of his songs becoming popular works performed by renowned vocalists of the country. However, in “Four Drops of Blood,” Alireza Azar turns to the mathnavi form, attempting to convey his heartfelt messages within this classical framework. The poet’s delicate emotions, combined with the classical mathnavi structure, present eight thought-provoking and compelling poems that compose the “Four Drops of Blood” collection. The eight mathnavis that form this collection— “Nanhaas,” “Lahad,” “Darkroom,” “Nameless,” “Four Drops of Blood,” “Bedsore,” “Circle,” and “Album”— beautifully illustrate the poet’s poignant sorrow, leaving an indelible impression on the reader’s heart and mind.