Contemporary Reflections by Alka Vasudeva is an interesting book of poems. It is fun and light read. Alka used her poetry as a relevant medium to express her views on a gamut of subjects. In the collection, nothing is rigid or in the ossified pattern of thoughts – it is like sea waves – rising and ebbing.
Despite not-so-serious tone, the poetess managed to paint many themes and moods brilliantly such as beauty, despair, momentum of life, impulse of heart and so on. What thumps in the heart of a poet, is evident through the poems of different relics and significance. Alka’s informal way of expressing her contemporary world makes her poetry easy to relish. Igniting yet soothing!
She used ‘being expressive’ as a tool in her poetry collection that reflects the mindset of the changing society with time and technology. The simplest aspect of the book is that it’s uncomplicated and easy to course through all the sections.
The collection is divided into six sections according to content and themes.
Fun and Satire:
It consists of eleven poems that seek fun and light sarcasm from our lives. It mocks the city life, some of the poems captured love equation among couples quite well, and the curse of dowry, Karma theory all in vain…as she is right the latest attitude is ‘Who Cares’ attitude. Ironic essence is felt in this section. She mocked the changed lifestyle, which has least to do with Karma or morals but smeared with technology.
“It makes us wonder how without thunder
Mobile phone has invaded in lives and
space!”
Rain and Love:
It is one of the most beautiful sections in the book. The first poem Pitter patter! Pitter patter! is about November rain that augments the uneasiness of chill of winters, put people in miserable situations. The poem paints a chaotic day from city life.
In the next poem, she alluded the right meaning of true lovers, their long distance relationship…earth and rain. A beautiful poem on mating…when it rains…the earth and the sky mate. Lovely depiction that common eyes miss.
‘When it Rains in School’ – a lovely poem on school children what they do when it rains. Nicely captured nuisances of a wet rainy day!
Relationships and Psyche:
It sheds light on the mockery of marriage…in this section Ode poems are frequent such as Ode to Parenthood, Ode to Fathers, Ode to Childhood.
Patriotism and Valor:
Provides great coverage on our soldiers and their contribution in the nation building. One poem about Diwali so really heart-touching.
Comparison and Description:
Truly funny segment...in fact comparison is funny. Book vs. E-book. Words vs. Silence is terrific. Brilliantly brought ahead the vagaries of the ladies coach in Delhi Metro in the poem ‘Man vs. Venus in Delhi Metro’. Other poems are funny yet heavy with subtle messages.
Faith, Philosophy and Contemporary:
This section houses around 24 items, in fact longest one in the book. It is focused on spiritual and divinity…it also got some Ode poems. However, in comparison to other segments, this was slightly heavy and not-so-engaging.
Now it is clear that diversity runs amok in the book. The way Alka writes, anyone can sway to any side. She is a talented poetess from India. Her poetry creates awareness about all walks of life – it challenges, and then takes into account the stereotype that people breaks. The tone is satirical, slightly sarcastic, and highly analyzing. Yet she prefers human values and compassion in the first place.
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