An anthology of English poems authored by Ms. Yasmeen Ahad a teacher ,writer and soulful poet was recently released in a grand function in a government college, in Srinagar, with famed poets of various languages ,authors, teachers and a large number of aficionado besides members from student community in presence. The book titled “Fragments of a Hidden Soul” is spread over fifty five poems . As I flip page after page and delve deeper to get into the nuances of poetry it forces me to remain glued till the last page is turned . Then there are certain pages which invite me to read them again . I pick half a dozen poems as a specimen of the poet’s incredible journey in the realm of poetry and try to expand in detail.
With its title “ My journey from dark to light” emphasises its strength and a personal touch between despair , emotions and hope. The poem opens up with the journey through dark lane and moves on to yearn for destination with some one to lend a support. And as it tends to its end the poet raises hands to the Almighty begging for a light. The prayers are heard as illumination from a light source pierces through the darkness throwing light all over.
My journey from dark to light
I was walking through a dark lane
Tired feet with trembling vein
I was moving slow and fast
The street was dark but vast
My heart was desirous of destination
I was moving hard on this destination
Sometimes I behave boldly
But my conscience knows it gently
I need someone to walk with me
It was a mysterious path you see
I was singing louder the song
To beat the threat but I was wrong
Stars had gone as on holiday, moon was not
Showing any way
Tears were flowing deep inside
Total distressed with shattered mind
I was just to bend down on my knees
Broken into cold sweat and totally freeze
My apprehensions were not vague, sincerely
I call upon almighty and beg
Suddenly very far seems a ray of light that
Makes my whole life so bright
This reminds me ‘Justice’ a poem by celebrated author and poet Mushtaque Barq , few lines are as under;
“this shall pass
the silence proclaimed
and solitude stimulated this soul
for the ways of God are just”
The poem is supported by a strong sense of imagery depicting a dark lane, cold sweat and sudden light etc which depicts its journey from despair to hope and salvation. The diction is simple, direct, emotional, which makes the poem feel honest and relatable. One of the strengths in the poem is its spiritual pedestal as the poet turns to Almighty begging for ray of light.
Another poem titled “ Winter’s Embrace” reflects the double edged nature of winter times. On one side it gives the serene landscape when we experience the falling soft snow ,snow flakes dancing about and on the other side attention to the ‘Icy paths’ is attracted lest they bring an hour of despair.
Winters embrace
Snow had fallen ,soft and light
The world aglow pure delight
Each face reflects the seasons cheer
A time to cherish ,warm and near
The snow flakes dance, a fleeting art
They touch the soul,they warm the heart
Though beauty reigns take cautious care
For icy paths may bring despair
The quiet calls ,the world serene
A peaceful calm, enchanted scene
The winter whispers soft and low
Of comfort found in firelight’s glow
With friends and kin we share this bliss
A season’s warmth a bond like this
Together will spark our love
And joy will soar just like a dove
Another woman poet Dr. Shabnam Ashai creates the imagery in another shade . Ashai’s poem ‘Snowfall’ depicts snowfall not on earth but within the soul. Few lines from her poem are as under;
The snow is falling
Not on the earth
But within my soul
Have you ever seen the snow
Being iced up within someone’s soul ?
The winter warmth has another shade that of mutual bond strengthening with our kith and kin. The poem is strong in its imagery as the poet draws attention to the falling snow , dancing flakes and the dove symbolizing peace
The rhythmic lines give its flow as good as mountain streams as if an instrument expert is playing his notes.
World renowned poet Mahmood Darwish says ‘ The wound does not need its poet to paint /the blood of death like a pomegranate !
“Invisible wounds” is another gripping poem which reflects the contrast between inner and outer wounds. While outer wounds depict physical pain inner wounds express emotional pain. As explained in few initial lines outer wounds get care and aid from medicine applied, inner wounds remain untouched by cure, balm or even soft embrace.
For wounds we see, there is care and aid
With medicine and love displayed
But wounds within , so deep unseen
Are left to ache where they have been
No cure, no balm ,no soft embrace
To heal the scars time can’t erase
Invisible yet fierce they stay
And shape our lives in their own way
While outer wounds may fade with time the
Inner ones are more sublime
Through strength and love, we must endure
For self compassion is the cure
“Invisible Wounds” is deeply thoughtful and touches on an important theme—emotional and psychological pain that often goes unnoticed. It balances sorrow with resilience, making it both poignant and hopeful. Written in rhyming couplets, giving it a steady, reflective rhythm the diction here is simple ,effective and travels between sorrow and hope.
World in Grief
Its hard to speak of all the pain
The world has fallen under strain
You bear sorrow, I bear grief
This storm of loss brings no relief
Disaster’s roots run under dark and deep
All around ,a haunting weep
Chaos reigns in every street
Where hearts and hopes no longer meet
Tears now flow like endless seas
A we kneel in endless pleas
Emotions lost ,hard to control
Grief and fear engulf the soul
Our hearts now bleed with unseen scars
Mourning loved ones from a fare
Each day the weights grow more and more
A silent war we can’t ignore
Yet still we pray and lift our eyes
To the one who hears our cries
Lets bow our heads and seek his grace
In humble prayer ,our sins embrace
With hope we trust his light will shine
And heal this aching world in time
Yasmeen has lit the torch of hope
In shah Allah ,with it, we will cope
His mercy, like the morning sun,
Will rise and bless every one
This poem by the poet is heartfelt on one side and spiritual on the other. The theme of the poem is suffering and yearning for solace in faith . The poem encompasses disasters, loss, grief , despair but it also raises hopes through prayer and divine justice.
Rafiq Masoodi a celebrated poet exhibits similar yearnings in his Kashmiri poem titled ‘Wairag’(Melancholy). Wish a night falls /like/ in this life/ so I sleep/like a child/ no dreams /no desires /like these two babies.
The poet shows her craft with imagery like ‘Disaster’s roots run under dark and deep’ , ‘In humble prayer ,our sins embrace’ and ‘His mercy, like the morning sun,’ and the like. The poem is written in lucid language making it accessible for common readers .Moreover, poem in rhyming couplets gives it a hymn like flow.
The poem titled “My autumn Rhyme” is a picture perfect of Autumn in Kashmir exhibiting the local touch and imagery in the landscape. Golden leaves may be the reference to the majestic Chinar leaves . The paddy fields, harvest time, women singing in local language are some of the inseparable parts of such part of the season .
Golden leaves upon the ground
I n this season they are all around
A touch of sun a gentle breeze
It warms the air then comes the breeze
Leaves like paper made of gold
Moments charming bright and bold
Red orange yellow brown they shine
Crowning trees in royal design
A picture perfect world you see
So full of grace and harmony
Life feels peaceful calm and bright
With joy that blooms without a fight
Its neither too cold nor too hot
Each day is a gift a soothing thought
Enjoy these hours with teapot steam
Where warmth and laughter gently gleam
In paddy fields the women sing
A harvest joy men folk bring
Day and night with love and light
Day and night with love and light
Families gather hearts feel right
So read louder my Autumn Rhyme
And feel the bliss of harvest time
Thank you dear ,for reading through
May Autumn grace now shine on you
This is a very gentle, lyrical poem that celebrates the charm of autumn with warmth, gratitude, and a sense of shared joy. The central theme is autumn as a season of harmony, warmth, and community.
Although , I pick only few poems for using the stuff for a review ,in essence the poet has put in her craft and hold on her language for giving expression to the events she has picked up for this book which definitely becomes “ A very good read”
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
The reviewer is President Fiction Writers’ Guild and can be mailed at wanishafi999@gmail.Com
