Thought Catalog Presents: A Talk With Samman Akbarzada, Author Of 'A Glimmer In The Dark'

'I saw a hummingbird / Pretty pretty wings / Beautiful beautiful voice / Amidst thin air, I saw it swim'

Join us this Tuesday, January 10th at 11 a.m. EST on Thought Catalog’s Instagram for an IG Live interview with author Samman Akbarzada about her newest poetry book A Glimmer in the Dark.

During the interview, we’ll talk with Akbarzada about her writing journey, how her personal experiences shape her work, and using poetry to maneuver trauma and empower others.

You can find an exclusive excerpt from Akbarzada’s book A Glimmer in the Dark here:

I saw a hummingbird
Pretty pretty wings
Beautiful beautiful voice
Amidst thin air, I saw it swim

Whirling and twirling
Across the stagnant flower
Which gazed at it in awe
Enduring useless powers

Its eyes caught the quiet
Cursed by vibrant hues
Espied in a fragile moment
And they both knew

Its ephemeral, uncertain soul
Consumed my delicate touch
But one can only live
For what it is conditioned

A hopeless thing
That didn’t even cower
I saw a hummingbird
And a dying flower

A Glimmer in the Dark is a powerful collection of poetry documenting the heartbreaking and transformative journey of Afghan refugee Samman Akbarzada. Akbarzada interweaves a powerful tapestry of prose reflecting on her connection to, as well as the inevitable escape and separation from, her war-torn homeland of Afghanistan and the suffering and resilience of those living on the margins of yet another immense human tragedy. A Glimmer in the Dark is ultimately about the perseverance and strength survivors find through deep familial bonds and the compassionate assistance of communities devoted to helping those displaced by war and suffering.

You can find A Glimmer in the Dark exclusively online at Shop Catalog.