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Book Review: Poetic Howl 2 by Shashank Sharma

Poetic Howl 2 is a lengthy and healthy book on poems and prose. Generally, poets or prose writers express themselves in one language, well this time Shashank Sharma has thrown himself out of his comfort zone by writing this collection, with equal élan, in two languages simultaneously – Hindi and English. That’s a commendable job he has done. The book is presented into two segments – short poems 30 seconds read, and short stories in & as poetry (2 minutes read). In total there are around 60 poems and prose.


Shashank Sharma’s talent for contemporary poetry and puzzled prose is undoubtedly best in the country. If this work presented on social media in a serialized form, he is sure to fetch a great fan following. As the book claims ‘fresh collection’ – indeed the content of the book is so relatable and fresh in its approach that as a reader, you would be compelled to steal some of the content for your personal glory on WhatsApp or FB.

The collection is thematically aligned, from personal life to love to career to social mirrors and many in between. Especially, the first part of 37 short poems and prose is just a delight to read and an impromptu opportunity to immerse oneself in sheer juice of contemporary things that we often cogitate in our day-to-day existence. A poem like ‘A fifty-rupee note’ tantalizes the core of the soul and one may long to connect with the love that has been gone into abeyance for some invalid reasons. In simple words, many would find this poem as ‘memory refreshing.’

In today’s world, everyone is brawling about some or other thing. Try recollecting Neem Ka Ped: Muh Ki Baat song by Jagjit Singh. The last prose in the book, ‘Every person who is quiet’ resonates with the Muh Ki Baat in highest authority, the poem is simply superb and emphasis the power of being silent. Silence epitomizes power. This poem is for those who remain soft and silent amid all grapples of life.

Some of his poems based on career and success and rat-race are cult classics. How the futility of all these aspects try hard to bind us is best explored in the likes of Rain, Just for Today, After a long time, If You Want to Know Me, and in few more poems. 

The poet tried covering as many as perplexing realities and tendencies through a diligent and delicate summon of narration. While covering many aspects of life and this world, the poems and prose never lose the grit of freshness. Despite all, the book is here to stay and it will be cherished by both Hindi and English poetry lovers in good rapport. Throughout the book readers will be aware of the subject, yes poems are not so high on the imaginative landscape, but truly inspiring and humble. Each and every poem is worth reading – it looks like a collection for the readers, totally away from the cask of its creator. Highly recommended.
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