Meniscus: Notes for the Painfully Alone

by Ayon Shahed

156 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2026

About the author

Ayon Shahed is a Bangladeshi-Canadian writer based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. His debut poetry collection, Meniscus, explores love, loss, longing, solitude, and the quiet tensions of modern life. His writing is shaped by memory, migration, place, and the complicated ways people find—and lose—connection.

Reviews

[Dorcas John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meniscus is a beautiful and emotional poetry collection. I really enjoyed how the poems explore loneliness, love, longing, and the difficulty of connecting with others. The writing feels honest and atmospheric, with a quiet sadness that stays with you. A thoughtful read for anyone who enjoys reflective and emotional poetry.

[Henry Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this poetry collection. The poems have a calm, melancholic feeling and do a good job of capturing loneliness, love, and the desire for connection. Some of the lines are simple but emotionally powerful. Overall, it was a thoughtful and relatable read.