Drowning Dreams & other poems
Written by Ananya Sengupta
Published by Aparna Raman for Timbuktoo Young Authors Publishing
Ages 10+
A secret wish.
But you see that this is not
Even half the things I would possibly want
If a ghost rambled through your brain
What would you do?
Would you squeal, shriek or shout in pain?
A longing for a grandmother's home comforts - the house, the food, and small indulgences.
The space is of love and arguments
Bewilderment and pain on a beloved uncle's passing away, as can be felt only by the young.
You may be gone in front of me
But you aren't gone from here
The unbridled joy of swimming with an imaginary friend who feels very real.
I agree with her and swim to the bay
In the next minutes we are mermaids
A drop of the clean, clear pure
And the many millions would not have sailed away.
These thoughts, and so much more in the 10 poems that make up this slim volume of poems by an obviously talented 11 year old, Ananya Sengupta, complemented well by the illustrations and design by Ayesha Adil and Aseem Gautam. Every poem offers something new. From the delight of a mind flying free, flitting from thought to thought, to the disdain of a younger sister over the older one's celebrity crush. They alternate between the charm of a tween's customary thoughts to a maturity belying her age. I've seen the birth of many poems, having a resident fledgling poet, and it is fascinating to watch the process -- everything is felt so keenly and often is translated on to paper quite effortlessly. This young poet shows a lot of promise, and here's hoping for stellar work from her in the future.
Image courtesy Aparna Raman.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher; the opinions expressed in this review are, however, my own.
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