Publication Date: December 17th 2018
Publisher: AdProm Media
Pages: 247, Kindle Edition
Links: Goodreads | Amazon India
Stars: 3/5
Source: Review Copy
Blurb: A captain sinks with his ship, then why cannot a lover?This collection of poetry is all about you and me, but I am afraid it will no longer be about ‘you and me’ once a reader picks it up. It will then be about them only. It will be all about the one they loved like thunder, about the one they struggled hard to keep, about the one who had left them in the middle of their ‘forever’, about their world shattering into pieces, about them gluing together every piece, and about them falling in love one more time. And if you still think it is about you and me, you haven’t loved someone like thunder, yet.
“Your own love is more than enough for you.”
‘A home to butterflies’ by J Alchem is an ensemble of poems reflecting ruminations on Life, Love, Pain, Obstacles, Break-ups, Awakening, Wisdom and love again. The structure of poetry narration in this book sways far from the regular pattern but it’s successful, nonetheless. The author’s charismatic word-play pleads with his lover’s attention, oozing of reality and digging deep into the souls of the readers. The poetry inevitably leaves a mark in our hearts.
What really stuck with me were the letters, yes, there is a second section comprising of letters to an ex-lover. Delving into numerous areas and leaning towards a much darker side, this part was the clear winner of the two. Like the author’s previous book, ‘Undelivered Letters’ had a power-packed impact on me; this book had quite the same effect. The raw magnetism of the letters call for tears and the heart bleeds for the wounded soul.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed all the pieces, the method felt monochromatic to tell a story through a poem. Maybe some pictorial metaphors would benefit the poetry on a major level. That is probably my only qualm with the poems but the letters have a stormy ending worth waiting for.
My favourite pieces from the book:
“The way
you love people
is how
you actually want to be loved
back.”
…
“Few pieces
Of our souls
Were misplaced
With others
Before
We were born.
And our whole life
We try to
Find them
In every person
We meet.”
…
“Out of the one
She loves
And the one
Who loved her
She chose the one
The society had
Permitted.”
…
“The wrong one
Will teach you
How to spread
Your legs
But the right one
Will teach you
How to spread
Your wings”
Notes:
- I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
- The blurb is borrowed from Goodreads.
Ruminations of a Raven 