A SALUTATION TO THE GURU.
I was born with eyes.
You gave them a perspective.
A vision of life.
I was born with hands.
You showed, when to extend the palm.
Or form a fist, as per the demand.
I was born with legs.
You acknowledged me with the difference of,
A stride, a sprint and a stand-by.
I was born with a head and a heart.
You taught me to walk the tight rope of balance,
Between the head and the heart.
I was born a body.
Your spanks and sermons,
Showed how to sculpt ‘Me’.
A note to younger self.
If not now, then when?
I have watched you grow.
I have felt your woes.
I have seen your cries,
And also the dimples on the side.
The challenges you posed,
Also, the ones you didn’t show.
I have witnessed your struggles with shortcomings,
Hidden under the pretense of know-it-all.
The never ending battles of Me vs. World.
Some you won and some you lost.
I have seen your body bloom,
Also, the inner child, who resisted growth.
I have seen your confusions, constant hops,
From left to right and right to wrong.
All in all, I write to the inner child.
A note, to tell.
I have felt and watched you always.
Hence, never feel ignored.
“How do you define a mother, I wonder? By the number of kicks you’ve given her in her womb and every time she smiled, or by the number of bites on her swollen nipples yet she happily fed you and never cried.” (Excerpt from book)
“Priceless Pearls” by veteran writer, Gitanjali Kapoor, popular by the pen name, ‘Laughing_Soul’ is a poetry book with a theme of love for a mother. Through 21 literary pieces, the poetess paints the facades of love she feels for her mother. Her poignant writing style adds to the empathy and relatability. Various poetry forms like versus, unmetered poems to Haiku poetry makes it a learner’s delight. In some of the poems like “The Golden Sunset”, the prim use of simile and metaphors brings forth Geetanjali’s outstanding skill to blend vividity with inner emotions. Besides the theme of love for mother, the book shares subtle hues of the writer’s journey along with the challenges and conflicts every woman undergoes in life. The poetries beautifully depict the vulnerable yet strong, ordinary yet exceptional sides of a mother. Although the book is a dedication of the poetess to her mother, it offers a universal appeal. My personal favourite is the poem, “My Treasure Trove”, as the lines, “My poems are nothing but messages from above” resonates with my writer’s heart. Besides the soulful poems, some impactful verses inspire and offer much to ponder upon.
All in all, Gitanjali, the inventor of the poetry form, “Mirror Alphoppbet” after 3 phenomenal books, yet again adds a masterpiece, “Priceless Pearls” in the showcase of the literary world.
“A thousand splendid suns” by Khaled Hosseini, is a heart-rending tale of two women set in Afghanistan in the 1960s, when the country was at a war between the Soviet Communist and the Taliban.
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.” The plot pivots around stories of two women, how their lives merge not by choice but for survival. Their relationship ignites with flares of jealousy and a tug of war for power over the household and husband. But when the two realize that they share the same enemy and are battling the horrendous consequences of the war, they lower their guards and bond into a love that transforms them into courageous women.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part revolves around Mariam, an illegitimate child of a popular, affluent businessman in Herat. She faces ruthless prejudices and blames not just from the big legitimate family of her father but her mother as well. “You are a clumsy little harami. This is my reward for everything I have endured. An heirloom-breaking, clumsy little harami.” Miriam is raised with a belief that she is a mistake. Her identity is carved with the repetition of such words. The second half revolves around Laila’s story. A good looking, intelligent daughter of progressive parents. There is a strake contrast in both the characters, not just in terms of their age but in terms of outlook and upbringing. Laila is portrayed as the woman Afghanistan needs. An educated, free-willed girl with a mind of her own. Her pre-marital sex with the love of her life, going to school, not wearing a burqa, are all reflective of it. The tragic death of Laila’s family in a bomb blast lands her in Miriam’s life. Although Miriam is the age of Laila’s mother, they become the wives of the same man. The latter half of the book offers some hope to the reader when love fumigates between the protagonists. The book begins to turn towards the brighter side.
The intricate description of the landscaping of Afghanistan, their food, aromas, homes, clothing and rituals give a feeling of a tour around the place. I found the book outstanding, in Khaled Hosseini’s ability to unveil the vulnerabilities of the characters clad in a burqa and how a bond of love lead to their metamorphosis. The language is lucid and the gripping narrative makes the book a page-turner. The graphic description of the war, depiction of bloodshed, oppression, suppression, brutality, starvation, loss and trauma leave the reader’s heart injured and their vivid depiction makes the eyes sore. All in all, this classic literary masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini leaves behind a bittersweet taste.