Title: Of the Heart and Soul: a mellifluous whisper
Author: Piyali Mitra
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Bluerose Publishers
First Publication: 2021
Language: English
Book Summary: Of the Heart and Soul by Piyali Mitra
This anthology abounds in the feeling of love– Love has always been the source of inspiration for the countless poems and thoughtful scribbling made by lovers and admirers, but few poems are written analyzing the concept and how to feel to be in love. This book speaks of how love can be the source of inspiration at the same time the source of abjection. Rejection and dejection can push one to a corner while love can uplift and transcend a mind from one realm to another. This garland of verses as the author would love to call is also a memory book remembering the various emotions her mother has been subjected to.
Some lines and verses of this book speak the loudest and most directly and others have reflection of vibrant imagery and artful characters. Some lines have divine intonation while others draw heavily from mundane life. The book has tried to capture the colors, aroma and essences of water, land, mountains, seasons and even leaves. Every object of Nature has their own language. This book has made an attempt to communicate that subtle language through verses. The book contains some illustrations.
Book Review: Of the Heart and Soul by Piyali Mitra
I look out to my garden
It transfixes and transports me
Into a world of beauty and color,
A sanctuary of peace and ecstasy.
Where lovely things mix and match.
As fresh morning unfolds
The flowers nod their sleepy heads.
The dew drops fall from leaves of plants,
Reflecting the glorious sunshine.
That is how Piyali Mitra starts her journey as a poet through her poetry anthology book ‘Of the Heart and Soul’. How brilliantly appropriate, wouldn’t you say? Reading this first poem titled ‘Garden – Solace of Soul’ makes you think about that garden where life goes on filling the empty spaces created by those who left or lost you.
Poems are always your own interpretation of what you are reading. . . practically all books are. In ‘Of the Heart and Soul’, Piyali Mitra’s voice feels familiar, as if you have been listening to it since the moment you took your very first breath. Inner peace in the middle of the turmoil that is life, that’s how I would describe her voice. There’s a wiseness to it, not self-proclaimed, though. She sees with her heart, her hopes and fears, and she then lays these portraits gently on the page with the help of words. So many of her poems lay down a moment and then end with an unexpected line that works like a perfect meditation. Here is an example: A poem in the book titled ‘ Girl Child’ ends with “I am here to stay and not to be disposed”
This collection is focused around nature, and love split into 21 poems. It’s really short and quick to read and a few poems are introduced by some really nice illustrations. Many of these poems contain questions, makes you question your surrounding, exclamations, and there is some occasional preachiness. It feels like an experienced life telling the reader to let go, lighten up, trust without worry, pay attention to nature, and other truisms.
Piyali Mitra’s poems make you feel at peace and instill a sense of calm. They’re the perfect companion to read on a rainy day. Her poems are quite succinct and yet manage to convey so much appreciation for nature and love. I really enjoyed the grounding and calming qualities of this poetry collection. It contains so much life-changing and educational and heart-wrenching and heart-warming information that is formatted in such a way that allows the reader to feel connected to everything being said.
I honestly believe ‘Of the Heart and Soul’ is the reassuring hand as you take a leap of faith, as you dive in head first into the immense universe that is life. Even through the darkest moments, it will guide you. Highly recommended.
