Indian English Poetry • Published 2026

About the book

This is an incredible collection of poems. The poem, “The Other Side of Darkness,” in the early section of the book, deals with the inhuman treatment of Iraqi prisoners of war by American soldiers in Abu Gharib and other prisons. The poem, “Afghan Soliloquies,” is a first-person perspective of the effects of a war. “Schooling High, In Beslan,” makes mention of the slaughter of 300 innocent Russians in 2004 during the Chechen terror purges when they tried to escape from a high school in Beslan.” Another poem deals with dementia, followed by one about senility, both told with a touching perspective. Those five poems set the stage for an incredibly visceral reading experience. Micros Poems and Haiku, are more personal but nevertheless just as stunning. Poet Satabdi Saha is not afraid to dive deep into her life, and her ability to share what she finds there makes for compelling reading. The poems in this collection are deeply personal, spiritual, emotional, and, for me, very moving. Considering the collection as a whole, it is remarkably candid. Satabdi looks at the world with the unblinking eye of a realist. Then she writes about what she sees with the skill of a seasoned poet. The reader is drawn in by her pinpoint observations and skilful writing. It’s powerful stuff. The collection is one stunning poem after another. Pick a favourite? Impossible. My feeling is that on any given day, one bunch will stand out, and then on a different day, another bunch will catch my eye. Lines stand out: “The night is a slithering Cheat,” “Beneath the scented layers, I can smell rottenness,” “Each day unseams its limbs to clutch me.” And so, so many more. This collection makes for captivating reading. Many of the poems brought a tear to my eye, but the collection is not sad. It’s real, often, heartbreakingly so. It’s about the horrors and fears people must face, yet it’s ultimately about finding ways to survive. Satabdi has her finger on the heartbeat of the world. Her poems deserve a wide audience. She’s a remarkable talent. She is an incredibly gifted poet. Her poems do not mince words as she delves deep into life and the challenges we all face. Whether the subject is personal about love or relationships, or looking at the world with its wars, famine, and disease, she writes with unflinching honesty. It’s impossible to pick a favourite because I enjoyed them all. “To Write A Poem” captures elegantly what the title implies. “Intermission” is a lovely tribute to a lost love. A standout poem for me was “Cross-Roads,” in which a soul is laid bare as she tries to come to terms with her life and all the horror and misery she experienced. In the end, she reaches her simple, but ultimately life-affirming conclusion. Because of Satabdi’s ability to write so candidly the poem is a remarkable writing achievement. It’s also incredibly memorable! I can’t get it out of my mind (or my heart). Many of the poems in this collection are like that – visceral, in your face, and real. Reading them is like walking through a hailstorm; it’s rough going, but in Satabdi’s capable hands, the journey is always worth it. Many of her poems speak for the forgotten, maligned, and abused people of the world. She is a uniquely powerful voice and deserves to be heard by a wide audience. As a former teacher, I can see the collection of outstanding poems used in high school English classes. The discussions it would provoke would be incredibly interesting, not to mention rich and rewarding. I highly recommend this remarkable book.

Jim Bates, U.S

Buy Now (QR Pay)

Secure checkout via QR Pay