The book "She and other poems" by Huma Masood which featured in the Blogchatter E Book Carnival is unique in the sense each poem has a preamble of a line or a few lines. Although the book contains 33 poems under four sections namely (1) She (2) Dilemma (3) Inspired and (4) Random Thoughts, the poems are short and before you know it, you have completed reading it. It is what you would call "a quick read". Yet, the book will compel you to go back, dwell and look for deeper meaning.
From the preamble to the very first poem "She", you know that the poet is not satisfied with the lot of "She".
" We are like birds in different types of cages
Few feel free to chirp, hop and fly
until they collide with the cage confines. Then they know
the limits
wiser, they spread their wings once again minding not to
clash with the cage walls "
The later poems also reflect this dissatisfaction and the style is also similar. You do not see anger and indignation expressed in a strong, aggressive manner as many feminist poets are known to do. The poet conveys a kind of quiet resolve that 'fresh beginnings' and realization of 'dream' will happen as you 'keep going'.
In the poem "Go Where you can Grow" she says:
When you have nowhere to go
Go barefoot, walk the spiked road
jump over defining lines
to go flourish unconfined
Don't stop to watch the time flow
Go some place where you can grow
Go to explore paths unknown
Step beyond your comfort zone
I particularly liked the poems under the "Random thoughts" section. Look at this three liner called "Autumn" :
" Fallen leaves that sing
The glorious songs of spring
And autumn listens "
The poem titled "Mirror" goes thus:
" The mirror reveals it all
Though many masks screen her soul
Dark kohl lining her brown eyes
And mascara that complies
Paints conceal her milky skin
But that persistent square chin
Betrays an obstinate soul
That none will ever control
" My heart is an ocean" and "blue is the colour of" are other interesting poems in the section. The desire to travel literally and metaphorically can be observed while reading the book. In the poem "On my Couch", the poet says
" I read, I indulge
I see the beautiful world
curled up on my couch"
Simplicity and subtlety is the essence of this book. If you like such a style you will enjoy reading " She and other Poems" which as already mentioned, is a quick read that demands more time to ponder on subsequently. When I recently interviewed an accomplished poet Pankajam Kottarath, to a question on the modern trend in poetry writing, she replied "Shorter forms of poetry are becoming more popular; brevity and simplicity could rope in more readers." ( Full interview). The writing style of poet Huma Masood is in line with the current trend.
The book is tastefully mounted, very pleasing to the eye and impressively executed with glossy colour background enhancing the value of the content.
The book can be downloaded for free Here
I also participated in the # Blogchatter Carnival 2021( can access at the link)
Congratulations to the poet Huma Masood. A wonderful review by Rajeev. The poems quoted are lovely. Happy to note the excerpts from my interview here Rajeev. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Pankajam for sharing your appreciation and feedback on this post!
ReplyDeleteHuma has a quaint poetic sense. I liked the book.
ReplyDeleteYes, I had read your review as well!
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI too very much appreicated Huma's works in this selection. How differently we reviewed - yet reached the same conclusion; add to one's library! YAM xx
You are so right! some times one feels why review a book that has already been reviewed quite a few times? Yet, each one can bring out or focus on another aspect of the book.
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