Story behind — ‘Years Spent: Exploring Poetry in Adventure, Life and Love’
I feel a deep sense of gratitude this Christmas as my book of poetry called, “Years Spent : Exploring Poetry in Adventure, Life and Love” is ready for release. The book has been in the making for years as it captures in verses, the emotional roller-coaster of success, failure and hope that one navigates through in one’s own life.
Each one of us goes through the usual phases of life, such as school, college, work, relationship, family and we eventually find ourselves on a quest for inner fulfillment. I went on a similar exploration (both literally and metaphorically) and most of these poems are snippets from that journey. In that sense, the book is as much yours as it’s mine—
- Remember the time when you took a shot at a goal and you failed, you despaired for a while but then you picked yourself up and came back to the arena to punch back –
“and now comes the time
when a butterfly will emerge
from its chrysalis,
shedding its cocoon,
flapping its wings,
billowing in the air,
ready to soar higher.”
2. Or, remember when you were at the cross-roads in your life (for starting a new job or changing cities, maybe even countries) and you were not sure which way to go? Maybe feeling adventurous, you wanted to go make that skydive jump but something was holding you back. What was the reason for being indecisive?
“Niggling fear or the raging fire
whom should I choose?
I choose fear,
feels my life beginning to shrink.
I choose fire
I expand beyond my proportion.”
3. Do you recall that road trip you took on a quest to find yourself and upon returning, felt that the trip itself was symbolic of life’s journey of crests and troughs? -
“On the trip, I felt joy and hope,
love and loss, melding into a
cauldron of emotions.
I let my hair and beard grow
And felt connected to my soul.”
4. Or you recall the time in your relationship when instead of being empathetic, you were too absorbed in logicality of actions ? -
“And in that moment,
I conceive a nugget,
it’s the death of desires
when the heart begins to think.”
5. Or wouldn’t you listen to your inner calling to venture out and explore more?—
“When you feel that you are done,
go outdoors, explore in the sun.
Lift your eyes unto that distant hill,
another challenge calls, another adventure awaits!”
Here’s hoping that while reading this book, you would reconnect with your emotions as you navigate your own life’s journey.
