“Dialogues From Within” is the beautiful title of a book of “poetry and verse to lift the spirit and soothe the soul” by my friend’s sister, Shobha Senan.
The first thing I loved about this book is its cover. I am not one to judge a book by its cover but I am not immune to a gorgeous cover either. So when I saw it the first time, I wanted to read the book.
Funny thing is – I am not much of a poetry reader, preferring humor, law/medical/crime fiction and whodunits and police procedurals. Don’t get me wrong, though! I do enjoy poetry – and in fact, took part in the month long Haiku Challenge in February 2012 and had a great time. Since I’ve read and enjoyed excerpts from the author’s brother – Dr.Chandra Senan’s books, I was curious to read Shobha’s verse, what with being tempted by the cover and all.
Soon enough, I received the book (thank you Dr Chandra) and decided to first speed read it. What did happen was, I ended up reading the book from cover to cover, literally. Poetry is a personal thing and I consider the limerick my favorite form. But I enjoyed reading Shobha’s verse, perhaps because I saw a deeper meaning in each verse than met the eye.
Let me share the words of the author from the back cover of the book:
Poetry is a revelation from a place deep within where dialogues never cease, ’till answers are found”. All of us receive these answers. Some of us respond to these voices from within. Others refuse to hear them.
Each time a poem emerges, a storm abates. Peace reigns and once again you feel connected.
Deep seated thoughts, convictions and resolutions manifest at this level. Questions that arise are inevitably answered.
This is what I am sharing with you in my collection “Dialogues from Within”
That is a very good description of the book and I couldn’t have written it better – and so I thought it best to quote Shobha.
One of the things that stood out for me in this book is it felt like author was having a dialogue with the Almighty, a higher power – call it what you will – always appreciating, with an emphasis on her faith. Take this poem for instance:
On being yourself
Live the life you so rightly deserve
Free the soul you so desperately preserve
Rid yourself of false pretenses
And live your life free of defenses
Live for yourself and all that is real
For God in all his zeal
Meant you to be like yourself
And not like the others
Most of the poems evoke a reflective mood bringing on the realization that hope springs eternal, nothing lasts forever and there’s always the Supreme Power to turn to.
The book’s clean format makes for an easy read – images on the left and the poem on the right.
I wish the book had an “About the author” blurb. There is none.
Dialogues From Within : Poetry & Verse To Lift The Spirit & Soothe The Soul
Question for you:
Do you enjoy poetry? Share a couple of lines from your favorite verse!
Today is Day 4 of the AtoZChallenge 2013 and I recommend:
Damyanti – our dynamic A to Z Challenge co-host’s D.R.E.A.M Catchers #AtoZChallenge
The Daily Dish Recipes – absolutely mouth-watering blog!
Thank You for this lovely post Vidya . I love poetry and any form of verse moves me . Here the way the author has defined poetry has found a deeper connection . Should definitely purchase this book 🙂
Thanks, Sridevi! I enjoyed the book!
Lovely review – and the highlighted back cover rocks 🙂
Yeah, isn’t it lovely, Laxmi! 🙂 thanks!
I absolutely adore poetry. I also write poetry and love to haiku – haven’t written one for a long time – thanks for reminding me. And thanks so much for sharing – will check out the book. My most favourite poem of all is Unending Love by Rabindranath Tagore.
Suzy, did we meet at the Haiku Challenge last year in Feb? Just wondered. Hope to see your poetry soon, perhaps during April? I love Tagore’s work too. So lyrical!
I dream to get my poetry book published one day !!! good luck to ur sisters friend
Each time a poem emerges, a storm abates. Peace reigns and once again you feel connected.——-this makes so much sense to me !
My fav verse written by me is (from my first poem)
dont want to sound like a narcisst but I LOVE the below lines. Nothing feels better than the poem written for the first time.
Not always I will get such a Day.
I hop I jump and enjoy my style.My Way.
Youth is a boon given by God.
Right or Wrong doesn’t matter and even what is Odd!
I will be on my own way,
And listen to what hearts say!!
Fav poets are robert frost , Nizar Qabbani , ralph waldo emerson. Their poems and quotes ROCK
Frost is magical! Afshan, thanks for quoting that verse. 🙂 How nice of you! And I am sure we’ll be reading your book soon! Good luck!
I love the title of the book and the contents seem even more exciting. Will try and pick it up off Flipkart because it’s not the kind of book I’d like to read on a Kindle! Thanks for sharing, Vidya.
Heading of to check out the Daily Dishes. Your idea of recommending blogs alphabetically is really neat.
I loved the title too, Corinne. Would you like me to send you the book? I doubt that it is available on Flipkart. I recall Shobha’s brother, who sent me the book, mentioning it was only on Amazon.
The blog reco was a sudden brainwave, I am glad I thought of it early! Thank you for your comment!
This is the sort of book I would love to read ! Thanks for the review !
🙂 Glad you liked the review, Ruchira! Thank you!
I love the poem you have shared, thank you and i have now subscribed by email as i missed your post on the A-Z challenge would have been perfect for my BEach Inspiration series. I don’t always open my reader. Next year
all my love
Suzie
Awww, Suzie! Hugs! I’ll personally remind you next year. I am excited about your book!
beautiful post
Thank you, Deena!
Vidya, That’s lovely 🙂 I don’t read poetry much either but just like song lyrics (which are poetry too, right?) they are my “go to” to express sentiment in the deepest way.
That’s exactly how I feel, Julie! I tend towards humorous verse, though! In fact, I used to convert my tough topics into poetry to study in college. 😀 Still have a poem on management principles around somewhere. I remember my folks at work promptly published it in the office magazine. 😀
Apt title to the book. Poetry is what the soul speaks. Frankly, I’m not much of poetry person, maybe my brain is too superficial to grasp the beauty of poetry, but I try.
Nice post, I like Haiku a bit, I feel like it’s speaking much more directly than other forms.
P.S: Thanks for the smiles with every post 😉
😀 Poetry has so many forms, I understand what you’re saying, Nandana. My favorite is the limerick – i like a dash of humor!
You’re welcome to the smiles 😀 I feel bad to say “Spammer”
This sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for sharing this.
🙂 I enjoyed it, Janu!
Sounds interesting Vidya. will surely read this one.
You’ll enjoy it, Sharmila! Thanks!
I am not a poetry person. I know that’s strange coming from someone who has a book of verse to her credit. The irony! 🙂
But this one does sound interesting.
Thank you, Shail! 🙂
Thanks so much for a lovely review, Vidya!
Thank you, too, Roshni. I am so enjoying reading your blog!
Nice Blog.
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Thank you!
Just caught up with your last several posts, including the lovely one about the Bhagavad-Gita (no wonder you are so enlightened!). Like you, I’m not always drawn to poetry, but I love this short one by Anais Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Hugs, Galen! Enlightened, and me? It is so kind of you to say so!
I love that quote by Anais Nin too. I actually collected a lot of Anais Nin quotes for A, but ended up writing something else.
NOt so much a poetry person Vidya, like you and Galen, but i do appreciate a good poem read by a good poet. Poems can be so moving, inspiring and resonate with the real truth in the world. It is unfettered creative expression usually from the depth of one’s soul. I also admire people who can write poetry.
Are you actually doing a post a day? WOW! I was writing one per week for the year and that seems a little overwhelming:)
Sometimes it depends on the time/mood we read poetry, Vishnu. I love your comment!
Come close, Vishnu…shhh… yes. I am going to post every day. And I am already feeling the strain – I am a twice/max thrice a week person. 😀 But it is fun!
Dialogues from Within… The title of the book itself evokes such a warm and reflective feeling. Looks to be a very promising book Vidya. Thanks for recommending it to us.
Yes, the title drew me in, too, Preetilata! It is a very nice book of verse. Thank you for commenting.
Looks like a wonderful book Vidya! I love poetry and really liked the one you included here. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed the review, Betsy! I had a tough time choosing which one to show off from the book! 😀
Poems and me are like cheese and cake… never the twain shall meet! 😀
🙂 Shilpa, I am thinking of all those who love cheese-cake! 😀
You have written very well vidya, the books appears inspiring, and I loved the way you presented it, thanks for sharing !
Thank you, Angela. The book was put together by Shobha very lovingly.
Wow… Shobha’s description of poetry is so beautiful! 🙂 And it’s so true that when we are still and listen to the voice within us, the answeres will be there… as long as we choose to listen.
Thank you, Nathalie. I quite enjoyed the book. 🙂
I love love love the title of the poetry book!
I shall order.
But I love you more than 5 ebonly panthers sipping water in Lake Victoria. XXxxxx
I mean EBONY 🙂
[…] my blog for a while, you might remember that I reviewed his sister’s book of poetry “Dialogues from Within“, last year during the A to Z Challenge. We have built a pleasant friendship and I feel […]