Review of Ruminations

 

Book: Confluence [Vol. 4] Ruminations -An anthology of Collaborative poems inspired by Rumi’s select Verses
Publisher: AuthorsPRESS
Editor: Anju Kishore
PP 150
Year: 2020

I have always found the verses of the mystic poet Rumi, exhilarating, sublime, edifying, and surreal. This spiritual genius makes us see things with unflinching clarity, teaching us how to live life and tackle its vicissitudes with equilibrium. He reveals the innermost truth with an electrifying eloquence, leaving us with lingering epiphanies and rapturous wonder. When an eclectic group of more than forty poets, hailing from different socio-economic backgrounds come together for a unique collaborative venture on this mystical poet, Ruminations, a masterpiece is born. When these poets speak in one voice glorifying love, freedom, and enlightenment, one finds the masterpiece pulsating with a heartwarming lyrical cadence.

As the editor, Anju Kishore, says in her extremely well- penned foreword, dedicated to the unassuming founder of Indian Poetry Circle, Jairam Sheshadri:
“In this collection, poetry unites more than 40 poets, a verse each from each, for each poem. ……The muse verse for each of the fourteen poets in this book was selected by one of our poets, Kumar Sultana Sheik from the timeless treasures penned by Jalal al-Din Rumi.”


 I must doff my hat to the team of India Poetry Circle and its founder Jairam Sheshadri, for the conceptualization and production of this remarkable book of collaborative writing. The ideas flow forth in an effortless cascade, as this  eclectic mix of poets expand and explore its myriad shades, individual thought processes merging to form a seamless whole.

She further says,

“We invite you to walk with us through the seemingly limitless expanse of the desert, seeking love, confounded by mirages and aching with thirst. Celebrate with us the liberating downpour of consciousness after endless storms, climb mountains with us, seeking that that promises everlasting peace, but seems to be just out of reach. Revel in the soft crashing of the sea way below, where you began your trek. Its whispers would draw your attention inward.”

Yes, let me confess, that I walked with the poets through seemingly unending deserts, was confounded by mirages, ached with thirst, and reveled in the crashing of the sea. By the time I finished the book, I found myself thoughtfully meandering towards self-actualization and the perennial frown that had become an integral part of my countenance after these despairing months of incarceration, guiltily scurrying away.  Diving, exploring, soaring, ascending, descending, I managed to ‘fine-tune myself to my inward chime’.
Well, almost.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever, and I must say that this smooth- flowing coherent narrative, where ‘each poet’s motif is seamlessly woven into a tapestry of spiritually uplifting poetry, each poem a tribute to the soul of Rumi’, is indeed a joy forever. It is a book which you want by your nightstand, so that you can dip into it, whenever faced with doubts or apprehensions.  
In another interesting innovation, the bios of the poets have been written in verse, some are also tinged with humour, leaving the reader with never-ending smiles.  

 It goes without saying that this book left me spiritually enriched. Kudos to all the poets who figure in this pathbreaking anthology- a book that should definitely be a part of every school\ college \ university library.

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