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I can’t sleep.

Once again, my restless imagination has breathed life into all inanimate objects in the room and, try as I might, I can’t seem to ignore the carnivorous predators, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

Braving the darkness, I jump over the vicious crocodile that was once my jacket, and dart towards the lit kitchen. Like most nights, I find my dad awake and reading. Like most nights, he’s been expecting me.

Wise to the cure for my insomnia, he picks up a book and walks me back to my bed. When he’s tired, he skips the book and tells me stories I must have heard thousands of times. And when he’s especially sleepy, his stealthy narration cuts corners, at which point I expertly remind him of those luminous details he’s neglected to include.

Tonight, I sit on his lap as he flips through a book I haven’t seen before. I breathe in deeply and can’t remember anything that smells sweeter than cigarettes and bitter tea. His beard tickles my forehead and his voice is hoarse as he quietly begins,

Now will I fashion from legend store
A tale of wonder from the days of yore
Give me thine ear my son! and learn from me
How Saam became the sport of destiny…

—Ferdowsi, Shahnameh (The Epic of Kings)

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Born in Iran, Setareh Shamdani moved to Toronto, Canada with her family in her youth. She received a Bachelor’s in Design (Honours) from York University/Sheridan Institute. She has worked for various boutique studios in Toronto and moved to Vancouver in 2008 to become part of the team at Seven25. Design & Typography. She is a talented illustrator and designer and has won several awards for her design and use of materials.

www.shamdani.ca

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