Mehdi Akhavan-Saless

1928 - 1991

Iranian poet and literary critic who wrote under the pen name Mim Omid, or Omid.

Born in Mashhad, Mehdi Akhavan-Saless later lived in Khorramshahr and Tehran. During his youth, he was politically active and was imprisoned briefly after the coup d'état of 1953.

Akhavan's first published collection of verse, Zemestan (Winter; 1956), expresses a nostalgia for love by using nature imagery. His later verse at times reflects a deep cynicism and sarcasm, and at times is lively and witty. Akhavan is known for his long narrative poetry, which captures the reader's attention with its flowing dialogues. In addition to poetry, Akhavan has written a book for children, Derakht-e Pir va Jangal (The old tree and the jungle), and articles on literary criticism brought together as Majmuʿa-ye Maqalat (Collection of articles).

Bibliography

Karimi-Hakkak, Ahmad, ed. and trans. An Anthology of Modern Persian Poetry. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1978.

— PARDIS MINUCHEHR