presents the life and writings of Armenian poet Hmayeak Shems (1896-1952). The Armenian Genocide of 1915 devastated Shems, who lost his family and home. For eight years he wandered in exile, his voice extinguished by anguish. Yet from debilitating isolation, Shems found a lyrical mastery of Armenian identity and modern spirit. Incontrovertibly shaped by his people's tragic history, Shems speaks simply yet profoundly. Illuminated by his poetry, this biography chronicles his travels, encounters, and thought to reveal a more compelling and complete portrait of Shems than previously known.Cover portrait of Hmayeak Shems by Ashot Zorian.