Asl’s work spans a wide range of mediums, from print to performance and digital platforms, showcasing her versatility as a poet. Her poetry has appeared in esteemed literary journals such as Poetry Wales, Gutter Magazine, and Modern Poetry in Translation. She was honoured with the prestigious Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award for Poetry in 2021 and has since performed at major cultural events such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Rugby League World Cup Festival.
In her latest achievement, Asl has been shortlisted for the 2024 Forward Prize in the category “Best Single Poem – Performed.” Her entry, described as a “Ghazal that clearly didn’t want to be a Ghazal,” brilliantly pushes the boundaries of traditional form. A Ghazal is a poetic form with Arabic origins. It traditionally expresses themes of love, longing, and separation, but Asl subverts the form to explore emotions that lie outside those familiar bounds. Her use of fragmented couplets mirrors the sense of disjointedness that often accompanies loss, while the poem’s refusal to conform to the traditional structure symbolises resistance to easy categorisation or resolution. As the poem unfolds, the audience is taken through a series of emotional landscapes—grief, confusion, defiance—that speak to broader, universal struggles with power and vulnerability.
Nasim Rebecca Asl’s journey from regional talent to national recognition reflects her dedication, creativity, and skill. The Forward Prize for Poetry is one of the most significant events on the UK poetry calendar, and will take place on October 10th at the Gala Durham, in partnership with the Durham Book Festival.
Hosted by award-winning poet Joelle Taylor, the ceremony will also feature BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles and renowned poet Kayo Chingonyi. Whether in person or via live stream, be sure to catch the 2024 Forward Prize ceremony and witness a momentous night for poetry lovers everywhere.
Watch her performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JXGMDz3MI