Exploring the Yardstick of Life- Reviewed by Kevin Gallagher

Introduction to the Book

M. Shahid Alam's poetry collection is a captivating exploration of the intricacies of the human experience. Through a blend of wit and profound insight, Alam delves into the paradoxes that define our existence. Influenced by the rich traditions of Urdu and Persian literature, his work resonates with a depth that goes beyond cultural boundaries. Surprisingly, Alam's poetry also bears the imprint of diverse influences, from the language-shaping prowess of Paul Celan to the straightforward intimacy of William Carlos Williams.

Within the pages of this collection, readers are treated to a vibrant tapestry of themes ranging from love and socio-political critique to reflections on nature and the human spirit. Each poem offers a rewarding journey, inviting readers to revisit its pages time and again to uncover new layers of meaning and beauty.

Review

These poems are global and universal: speaking from, across, and to cultures across the world. At the same time, they are deeply personal, though not in the mundane 'confessional' sense that has plagued a strand of American poetry since the 1960s. Rather, Alam's poems are at times a hilarious tuba and others a serious alghoza singing those 'deep songs' as Lorca did-translated from the soul to sound, echoing diverse pasts, penetrating the present, and pushing us to envision a better future.'

Reviewed by Kevin Gallagher, author of And Yet it Moves.

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