Spoon and Shrapnel: Verse and Wartime Recipes

Spoon and Shrapnel fuses poetry and recipes to explore the experience of surviving the Iran-Iraq War through a child's perspective. As a survivor, Sheema Kalbasi shares raw memories of fear, loss, and resilience through her verses, accompanied by simple, nourishing recipes that sustained her family amidst scarcity and danger. Each poem is paired with a recipe, alternating between the emotional depth of poetry and the practical art of cooking, which offered hope during wartime. The poems provide vivid, emotional insights into life during the conflict, while the recipes-made with scarce ingredients-represent moments of comfort and survival. Together, they create a narrative tapestry where food and poetry intertwine, reflecting how one family and an entire culture persevered. Kalbasi's work transcends her personal experiences to present a universal story of resilience, illustrating how humanity can find strength in the simple rituals of cooking, eating, and storytelling, even in the harshest conditions. Spoon and Shrapnel is a tribute to both physical and emotional survival, offering readers a rare glimpse into everyday life during wartime.