The sound of brawling crows
that the rustle of London
leaves unbroken
ravages my attention. I put down
my book and gaze at the mist
beyond the white frame of my window.
If only the familiar trees were visible,
as if easy to fold away like cut-outs
for a scrapbook, never used.
In my mind, the trees can be scraped
back like hair to reveal a window.
If only I could wipe away what I see:
the woman-shaped abyss behind
the glass, black flies – deranged blades –
snipping at potted mint on the sill.
Her hesitant mouth opens then shuts;
I wait for wisdom that never comes.
Bio: Z. R. Ghani is a ‘Best of the Net’-nominated poet from North London, UK. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Zaina’s poems have appeared in Magma Poetry, Black Bough Poetry, The Willowherb Review, Square Wheel Press, Bind Collective, Hazel Press, and The Adriatic. — Z.R. GhaniAuthor and poetBA Creative Writing (Hons), BA Creative Arts (Hons)Instagram: @z.r.ghani
A Rainy Day in June
I went out in the rain,
when the streets are most quiet.
The precious sheen of cars
were seldom, in a hurry to vanish.
There comes a time
when thoughts curve
inwards like fern fronds;
everywhere you turn you see
yourself, and the urgent need
to be calm can’t be ignored.
A smooth dent in a step –
a haggard sofa looked tempting.
I took a seat as the rain fell harder,
softly intruding, each splash releasing
a truth I’m incapable of repeating.
Similarly, I have a thirst to peel
away at membranes and dry wounds.
The days that stretch the longest,
like reflections on the back of a spoon,
leave the deepest impression. Glass orbs
gleamed on the tips of gooseberry
thorns—absorbing me brightly:
portals to ecstasy preparing to yield.
Nothing is incorrect in nature,
not even me. I forged a circle,
parted polished leaves as if to re-shuffle
the landscape in the living room wallpaper,
their shapes: hand, heart, eye, tongue,
until I recognised home, struggled
with the keys before the right one slotted in.
A Fevers of the Mind Quick-9 Interview with Z.R. Ghani
Bio: Z. R. Ghani is a ‘Best of the Net’-nominated poet from North London, UK. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Zaina's poems have appeared in Magma Poetry, Black Bough Poetry, The Willowherb Review, Square Wheel Press, Bind Collective, Hazel Press, and The Adriatic. --
Z.R. GhaniAuthor and poetBA Creative Writing (Hons), BA Creative Arts (Hons)Instagram: @z.r.ghani
Q1: When did you start writing and first influences?
Z.R.: I started writing at the age of 16 when I read Jane Eyre and fell in love with it. I started off by writing surrealistic short stories and planning epic novels which never saw the light of day. Poetry always fascinated me and I was drawn to Shakespeare’s sonnets and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, but I didn’t start writing poems until my English teacher at college read a sonnet I wrote for my homework. He was impressed and encouraged me to keep writing, so I did!
Q2: Who are your biggest influences today?
Z.R.: So many poets come to mind. However, I’ve always loved Carol Ann Duffy, Pascale Petit, and Ezra Pound. When I read their work I just want to grab a pen and paper and start scribbling away. Influences are great but I do believe in getting to know yourself, finding your voice so you’re not copying someone else but being true to who you are.
Q3: Where did you grow up and how did that influence your writing? Have any travels away from home influence your work?
Z.R.: I grew up in Mauritius and moved to England when I was 8 years old. I tend not to write about Mauritius as much as I’d like to. Not sure why that is, it’s not a subject matter I automatically turn to. London, however, inspires me to no end. I love the diversity of the city, and the contrast between quiet parks and concrete jungles. At the same time I still feel like a stranger in London. It’s probably why I explore themes of self and identity in my work. I also like to write about where I am in my life right now, how I feel about myself at this point in time. Poetry is about confessing your truth – at least for me it is! I’m also inspired by Greek mythology, art, and fairytales.
Q4: What do you consider the most meaningful work that you’ve done creatively so far?
Z.R.: I’ve put together a poetry pamphlet recently titled ‘In the Name of Red’ and looking to get it published. It was put together during the first lockdown and that was the first time I dedicated myself to a body of work when I felt as though I was being completely honest about my past and the events that have shaped me.
Q5: Any pivotal moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Z.R.: When I was studying at university, I chose the poetry module in my second and third year as a last resort. I thought, “how hard can it be?” and didn’t fully understand the work that goes into writing poems. The first few poems I wrote were badly received and I wanted to give up. After a long period of doubt I decided to read more poetry and be less forgiving with the editing. This not only improved my work but I realised that poetry was a crucial part of my life and I could never abandon it.
Q6: Favorite activities to relax?
Z.R.: I like sewing, drawing, cooking, and going on long walks.
Q7: Any recent or forthcoming projects that you’d like to promote?
Q8: What is a favorite line/stanza from a poem of yours or others?
Z.R.: These lines are from an unpublished poem I wrote about Elizabeth I: “Her beauty retreats as she looms near,/ becomes so rare it never existed –”
Q9: Who has helped you most with writing?
Z.R.: All my university tutors were amazing in helping me to develop my voice, I wouldn’t be writing now if it wasn’t for them. I am eternally grateful to Matthew MC Smith, an accomplished poet and the Editor of Black Bough Poetry, who believed in my work even before I had a Twitter account and was just a wannabe Instagram poet. I’ve still got a long way to go but I believe in myself because of him and owe him a lot for motivating me.
Bio: Z. R. Ghani is a ‘Best of the Net’-nominated poet from North London, UK. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Zaina’s poems have appeared in Magma Poetry, Black Bough Poetry, The Willowherb Review, Square Wheel Press, Bind Collective, Hazel Press, and The Adriatic. — Z.R. GhaniAuthor and poetBA Creative Writing (Hons), BA Creative Arts (Hons)Instagram: @z.r.ghani
Only you and I make the most of this bench,
fenced in by overgrown grass and scentless
flowers that even the butterflies find charmless.
The smoke of tiny flies deter everyone else
but us. We go there to talk – about the rent,
bills, destiny, how we manifested a hope
into truth. Aeroplanes carve white rainbows
as we incantate plans for the blossoming
of splendid tomorrows. The house on a tightrope
is in sight from here, trees blotting the view.
We stare; I often ignore the sensation of falling.
Once, I came alone, looked up at what I thought
was a dragonfly – turned out to be grasshopper.
In my dreams the dragonfly glowed neon green.
And I told myself that it’s a pigeon luxuriating
in the bushes, not a familiar London rat.
Bio: Z. R. Ghani is a ‘Best of the Net’-nominated poet from North London, UK. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Zaina's poems have appeared in Magma Poetry, Black Bough Poetry, The Willowherb Review, Square Wheel Press, Bind Collective, Hazel Press, and The Adriatic. --
Z.R. GhaniAuthor and poetBA Creative Writing (Hons), BA Creative Arts (Hons)Instagram: @z.r.ghani
Fevers of the Mind 