God, Does Humanity Exist? by Kamand Kojouri || KappaCino Book Club

God, Does Humanity Exist? by Kamand Kojouri is truly a book for our time. While her acclaimed first set of poems focused on love, the new volume reflects on suffering, resistance, and, ultimately, hope.

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The Book

Her poem about Aleppo, Heaven and Hell, was placed next to James P. Graham’s stunning artwork in the opening vitrine of his Desacration exhibition at Biblioteca Vallicelliana in Rome last month. Her work has been used a classical composition for a choir ensemble (‘War on Silence’) and lyrics for a rock song (‘They Want Us to Be Afraid’). Her poems have been read during sermons in churches and synagogues, at weddings and funerals, and conferences and events. In this, her 2nd collection, Kamand Kojouri turns the age-old question of the existence of God on its head, and asks whether humanity exists. Her main intention is to make us think and act more humanely—with compassion, empathy, and understanding.

In this powerful and evocative collection, poet Kamand Kojouri explores themes of resistance, empowerment, and hope. The four sections (Cries of Common Pain, Call to Action, Songs of Hope, and Echoes of Hope) are skillfully interwoven and resonate with urgency and relevance. During these turbulent times when the world at large is experiencing a crisis in humanity, God, Does Humanity Exist? is a beacon of light that encourages us to think and act with more compassion, empathy, and understanding. For every book sold, a tree will be planted in Sub-Saharan Africa to help provide families with food, income, and a sustainable way of life. Royalties will also go to children’s charities in Iran.

Thoughts on the book

“All of the crises that are taking place across the world, from the anti-muslim violence in India to the armed conflict in Yemen: they are not a city or a nation’s plight; they are the world’s plight. This is apparent, more than ever, as we are facing a borderless pandemic. It’s not a refugee crisis in Syria or a European refugee crisis—it’s humanity’s crisis. We must voice this common pain and demand a change.” – Kamand Kojouri.

At the time of reviewing this book, we are in the middle of massive social upheaval as the Black Lives Matter movement protests around the world and President Trump is fanning the flames of hate and division. Now more than ever, we need poetry in our lives. The poets of the past have focused on the hardships that they faced in their world, and Kamand has done the same with this book. I would like to say that this book was the result of recent events, but I feel that the world has been sliding into a darkness since 9/11, and the poems within these pages capture the essence of this long term wound.

Thoughts on the author

Kamand Kojouri has been featured on Radio 2, in art exhibitions, in classical and rock songs and has been lauded by Russell Brand as well as many others. Originally from Iran, Kamand is currently living in the UK and her new collection of poems, God, Does Humanity Exist? has recently been published. She was born in Tehran, raised in Dubai and Toronto, and currently lives in Wales where she teaches creative writing as a doctoral candidate at Swansea University. She is inspired by the great Mystic and Sufi poets, such as Rumi and Hafez, as well as art and classical music (playing and composing runs in her family). Her first poetry collection, The Eternal Dance: Love Poetry and Prose, was published in March 2018. She is currently working on a historical novel for her PhD and you can get more information on her website.

Overview

I am the first to admit that I don’t really read poetry but now more than ever we need poetry in our lives. The world is filled with hate and despair. There is something about poetry that reaches into us and can help with the emotional healing that has been inflicted on us. Do yourself a favour and read some poetry, starting with this book.