Nima Yushij (1897–1960), widely recognized as the father of modern Persian poetry, was born in the village of Yush in northern Iran, by the Caspian Sea. He is possibly the most influential Iranian poet of the twentieth century. In fact, sher-e-no (“new poetry”) is sometimes referred to as sher-e-nimaai (“Nima-like poetry”). Yushij’s poems have multiple symbolic layers that touch on personal, social, and political struggles, as well as those of modern poetry itself. He was a touchstone for the young poets of his day and his writings continue to inspire poets across Iran. Numerous books have been written about him, and his poems have been set to classical music.