Poetry: A Review Of 'Salt And Pepper' - Selected Poems By Sukrita

Reading Sukrita’s collection of selected poems is a soul-stirring experience. There are existential commentaries which are derived from millennia of human suffering and the human condition and the poet as a silent but simmering witness. These are poems about the momentum of generations and sacrifice. They hold the grit of struggle, hardship, and build from those days, the profound strangeness of the world repeating itself while simultaneously being new.

The words in the book are placed like a raw lump of clay on a potter’s wheel and as the wheel turns verses emerge in captivating sheen and shape under the poet’s skilful hands. The poetry progresses On The Wheel, withstands The Fire of Meaning to stand clearly before us Across Lines Across Times. In other words, the book is divided into these four metaphoric sections. Each section emanates a serene aura, gently nudging readers to pause and reflect upon life's deeper questions. Each poem serves as a portal, inviting us to explore the vast landscapes of our own thoughts and emotions.

Sukrita offers the reader captivating verses on motherhood that delicately intertwine gentle musings, philosophical insights, and profound contemplations. Her encounters with becoming a mother and experiencing the various phases of growing-up of her children are laced with humour and satire.

Clapping his hands?
in excitement?
my three year old exclaimed?
“Shame!” Shame!”

He saw a?
monkey?
wearing clothes

The collection derives its lyrical beauty from Nature. Sukrita’s work exhibits, both in terms of imagery as well as meaning, a Sylvia Plath-like nature-based depiction of human emotions. Like in Plath’s poetry, here too one finds references to the moon, landscapes, rain, trees and verdancy to convey a set of emotions. However, while Plath’s poetry was laced with despondency and frustration, Sukrita’s words are gentle, endearing and soft. The visuals employed in Sukrita’s poems range from the bountiful tapestry of the natural world to the intricate workings of the human mind and heart. With delicate strokes, she paints vivid scenes, enabling readers to immerse themselves in the verses and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

As my eyes tailed
the sparrow?

building a nest?
straw by straw?

I became a mother
of three chicks

A profound philosophical undercurrent that flows throughout the collection, sets the book apart from most of the other contemporary poetry one encounters. The poet delves into the depths of existence, grappling with themes such as the transient nature of time, the meaning of love, the search for purpose, and the fragility of human existence. Through these contemplations, readers are encouraged to ponder their own place in the grand tapestry of life. There is an Annie Finch-like profound exploration of the human experience in Sukrita’s verses. While the latter’s writing is not rhythm-oriented or meter bound as Finch’s is renowned to be, there is the same courage to call a spade a spade and look issues in the eye.

Why would the tiger of silence?
not leave any pug marks?
behind in the forest of words?

It is apparent that Sukrita carries deep within herself, terrible scars of the partition of 1947. The wounds inflicted on either communities in that brutal division of the country are still festering in her heart. Her poems feel around those bruises tenderly, seeking closure to the pain but finding none.

Rano’s squeals?
ripped the clouds?
over the aborted calf?

Postmarked and stamped?
the letter was delivered?

with time rolling back?
into bewildered clocks

Through Sukrita’s heartfelt words, we see clearly how staunchly she believes in secularism as a concept, as a lifestyle and as the way forward for all societies.

My eyes devoured
the exotic blackness on the?
pink stone loaded with history?
lying in the dark corner of?
the Professor’s semi-circular room,?
the room with a silver samovar?
boiling and trembling with?
Indian tea.

It might be hard to find a verse more loaded with secular nuances than the above stanza!

Some of the poems in this collection are delightfully brief, yet possess a quiet strength, inviting readers to slow down and savour the beauty in life's simplest moments. The poet's words are like gentle whispers, nudging us to pay attention to the world around us and the thoughts within us. Each poem acts as a meditation, encouraging us to pause and embrace the present moment with renewed awareness.

One of the most remarkable aspects of ‘Salt and Pepper’ is the depth of insight it offers. Sukrita’s ability to distil complex emotions and experiences into concise, profound verses is impressive. It is through this distilled wisdom that readers are able to glean new perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

While the collection exudes a tranquil ambience, it also acknowledges the complexities of life. The poet's compassionate gaze captures the dualities and contradictions that exist within the human experience. From joy and sorrow to hope and despair, the verses explore the full spectrum of emotions, ultimately guiding readers towards a sense of acceptance and self-awareness.

‘Salt and Pepper’ is indeed a compelling collection of poetry by Sukrita. With grace and precision, Sukrita weaves verses that explore themes of identity, migration, cultural displacement, and the complexities of human existence. Through her evocative imagery and poignant language, she invites readers on a thought-provoking journey that resonates long after the final page.

The distinctive mark of Sukrita’s poetry is the tenderness and unpretentiousness with which it is conceived. A rare and remarkable quality in a world where very often poets weave the pen for flair and flourish more than anything else.

You tell me?

it’s not all about you,
but?
when you were born
I became all about you?

Daughter,?
is all about you?
not?
all about me, too?

The reader gets the feeling that through her writing, Sukrita is seeking to complete herself. The kind of completion that is indicated in the Sanskrit shloka from the Upanishads -?

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Puurnnashya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||

(That is complete, and this universe is complete too.
This completeness proceeds from that completeness.
Then, taking the infinitude of the infinite, complete universe,
what remains is the non-dual infinite completeness here.)

Sukrita does not shy away from an unflinching exploration of social and political issues. She is fearlessly in her tackling of gender inequality, violence, and political injustices in our country. Her poems serve as a powerful voice, advocating for social justice and shedding light on the struggles faced by those who are often silenced. Through her words, she ignites a desire for change and prompts readers to critically examine the world we inhabit.
?
While ‘Salt and Pepper' grapples with weighty themes in some places, it leaves enough room for moments of joy, love, and resilience. This is a collection of poems that transcends borders and speaks to the universal human experience. Her profound observations make this collection a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate and transform. ‘Salt and Pepper’ is an invitation to engage with the complexities of our world and to discover the profound beauty that lies within our shared humanity when viewed through the lens of simplicity.

(Vinita Agrawal is a poet and editor. She is also the author of 'Twilight Language'.)