Book Description:
"Saris and a Single Malt" is a moving collection of poems written by a daughter for and about her mother. The book spans the time from when the poet receives a phone call in New York City that her mother is in a hospital in New Delhi, to the time she carries out her mother's last rites. The poems chronicle the author's physical and emotional journey as she flies to India, tries to fight the inevitable, and succumbs to the grief of living in a motherless world. This collection will move you, astound you, and make you hug your loved ones.
Saris and a Single Malt by Sweta Srivastava Vikram
ISBN 13: 9781615992942
Pages: 46
Publisher: Modern History Press/2016
How does one review a poetry book which you know is going to hit you on the solar plexus? How does one keep one's self from getting emotional?
You can't....you simply let it be.....
The poems are like conversing with self, the anticipation of what awaits one at the end of the journey. The rituals are the means to an end...they help us cope. With grief, With oneself...and yes we also bond with our siblings...
When my dad passed away in 2002, he was 72. He had a fall, broke his hip bone, had a surgery. We expected him to recover but that was not to be and was gone within 11 days. I went numb. The feelings just ebbed out of me. I felt nothing for a while. All three of my brothers were there for me and got me out of the stupor.
My SILs took turns to be with maa, never leaving her alone ill the rituals were complete.
I know I am digressing. Maybe not. I had the thoughts but at that time I didn't have he words. The words that poured forth from the poet...where images of her mother are made alive for us...
Saris and a Single Malt is too poignant for me. It is matter of fact, and conveys the eternal emotions too well.
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PAGE 22
GRIEF
Everyone has an answer---how to cope and grieve when you have regrets and guilt. But no one tells you how to deal with loss when there is nothing you want to change about your past or your relationship with the deceased.
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