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নদী বা নিঃসঙ্গতা
When a poet combines words, emotions and thoughts into rhythmic verses and melancholy stanzas, it is never a collection of random musings. Like the river that flows endlessly, words keep flowing endlessly; and every onlooker gets a taste from the luxurious spread.
Poet Sumsun Naher has only published one collection of poems so far, but the way she takes control of the reader’s emotions is something exemplary. The way her verses flow, it can most accurately be compared with storytelling. The reader forms a kind of expectation about the final outcome of a particular poem, only to be totally baffled by the way they end—and they go back to read, re-read and every new reading brings out a different meaning.
I love the solitude.
But only when I need an excuse
to go near the river.
Before losing myself in the loneliest of forests
Why do I desire to become a river incarnate?
The desire to stay aloof touches the soul; anyone burdened with the numerous responsibilities of the world (well, who isn’t burdened that way?)—but here, the poet gives us the added twist of “only when I need an excuse to go near the river”. Well, shouldn’t it be the other way? Someone would go to near the river when they seek solitude; they should not start loving solitude simply because they love to go near the river. It is as if “river” is a miraculous and lifesaving drug, and even an unusual and rare condition like “solitude” can be sought in order to avail it.
Many of the poems included in this collection contains these little puzzles, riddles, puns, oxymorons and other, witty references. It takes a lot more than a connoisseur of poetry to grasp Sumsun’s writings.
This is my humble effort to reach the English speaking audience with her poems. Hope you all will enjoy the journey, as much as it has been for the translator; if not more.
Poet Sumsun Naher has only published one collection of poems so far, but the way she takes control of the reader’s emotions is something exemplary. The way her verses flow, it can most accurately be compared with storytelling. The reader forms a kind of expectation about the final outcome of a particular poem, only to be totally baffled by the way they end—and they go back to read, re-read and every new reading brings out a different meaning.
I love the solitude.
But only when I need an excuse
to go near the river.
Before losing myself in the loneliest of forests
Why do I desire to become a river incarnate?
The desire to stay aloof touches the soul; anyone burdened with the numerous responsibilities of the world (well, who isn’t burdened that way?)—but here, the poet gives us the added twist of “only when I need an excuse to go near the river”. Well, shouldn’t it be the other way? Someone would go to near the river when they seek solitude; they should not start loving solitude simply because they love to go near the river. It is as if “river” is a miraculous and lifesaving drug, and even an unusual and rare condition like “solitude” can be sought in order to avail it.
Many of the poems included in this collection contains these little puzzles, riddles, puns, oxymorons and other, witty references. It takes a lot more than a connoisseur of poetry to grasp Sumsun’s writings.
This is my humble effort to reach the English speaking audience with her poems. Hope you all will enjoy the journey, as much as it has been for the translator; if not more.
64 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 25, 2021
A book by my dear friend Sumsun, which also includes English translation of the poems done by me.
I can only say good things about the book, but as I am involved with the project, it is better for the readers to find out on their own--how good the book really is.
If you are in Bangladesh, you can get a copy from Rokomari dot com:
https://www.rokomari.com/book/209873/...
I can only say good things about the book, but as I am involved with the project, it is better for the readers to find out on their own--how good the book really is.
If you are in Bangladesh, you can get a copy from Rokomari dot com:
https://www.rokomari.com/book/209873/...
Displaying 1 of 1 review