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Book Review: Years Spent by Lalit Kumar

Years Spent by Lalit Kumar is a beautifully written poetry collection. The book presents a gamut of themes and emotions that will surely spellbind the readers. Among all aspects, the versatility of the collection is superb and it needs true appreciation by the readers of poetic genre.


The poet did a good job by segmenting the poems in five sections i.e. Life and Exploration, Freedom and Adventure, Pain and Loss, Success and Achievement, Love and Passion.

Before we examine the book segment wise, let’s see what the title poem “Years Spent” means specifically. It’s a beautifully written poem in simple words. It narrates the vagaries of author's life, how he felt at different junctures. At the end, he seeks inspiration from “Butterfly” that epitomizes detachment from the past deeds and looking to fly away afresh, to soar high. Pragmatic yet inspiring!

Life and Exploration:

This segment holds 23 short poems, lucidly presented. The major theme in these poems is the innocent reminiscences of the poet and some musings that he still longs while living in some far-away country. A Nudge of Memory and Across the Border depict that a man can go anywhere in search of comfort and success but home country’s memories always haunt. It is a well-captured section about emotions and nostalgia about old good days. For sure, it will provoke many readers if they are in the same predicament as the author. The poems in this section are heartfelt, imaginative and enjoyable from a literary point of view. The poet did not make any efforts to confound readers, he talked and expressed as it came to his heart…simplicity at its best. Though themes can vary, yet it does not subside the poetic juice from this section.

Freedom and Adventure:

Appreciative fashioned poems, full of gratitude and brimming with astonishing beauty that surrounds us and our ambience. Theme of “nature” is abundant in this section. Being adventurous is a virtue… a sort of boldness, the poet nudges you to be like him, be it Munnar or Wyoming, California and so on. A sense of fearlessness pervades through the poems of the Freedom and Adventure section. A few last poems with illustration of motor cycle are way impressive and stir an ignition of being bohemia and vagabond.

Pain and Loss:

It houses 8 short poems. It’s a different section altogether, probably the poet went too much into introspection. It’s slightly tough to comprehend his vista and feeling, the best way is to reread.

Success and Achievement:

This segment looks at the core aspects like desires and being ambitious etc…that takes it all to become a successful person in life. The poems are inspiring and motivational with its essence.

Love and Passion:

The poem Nature is superb; it studies the face of a lover in comparison with the purity of nature. In fact, this section is smooth and radiates positive passionate vibes that are needed to fulfill a relationship. Also this segment is high on fervent love, with an equal élan it balances the gusto of love with the agony of separation.

Overall, it’s a beautiful and engaging collection of poems that transcends its genre. Carefully crafted and meticulously presented, this book is going to linger in your mind and heart for a longer time. The illustration at the end of each poem brilliantly compliments the overall theme and content of the book. All in all, pick it up and take a refreshing break for yourself from the mundane of your life.

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