Title: Poems
Author: Israfil Sahibdeen
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1469126357
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 68
Reviewer: Allison Walker

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Poems, by Israfil Sahibdeen, is a journey through the natural world and the human mind. This collection of poems weaves rhythm, reverence, and deep contemplation into a tapestry of profound beauty and insight. This book of poems reflects a profound reverence for the natural world, woven with subtly religious themes that evoke a sense of the divine in the everyday. Sahibdeen, having a wealth of life experience, brings a worldly perspective to each piece, allowing the reader to explore varying subjects with a consistent sense of awe and wonder. The collection captures the poet’s deep connection to the world around him, revealing a nuanced understanding of both the seen and unseen.

The poem “Peace” embodies many of these characteristics found throughout the collection. In the poem, Sahibdeen explores the intricate relationship between the physical world and the universe of the mind. The moon, a powerful force in nature capable of stirring the oceans, serves as a metaphor for external influences that can provoke turmoil within us. However, Sahibdeen contrasts this with “God’s creation… the supernatural power” of the human mind, a divine gift capable of controlling and calming the internal chaos. While “even the planets, obeys [sic] the terrestrial moon,” only the mind has the power to “control the wrought that invades the mind” and bring forth harmony between the conscious and subconscious.

Sahibdeen’s writing style is characterized by a preference for short-form poetry, where each word is carefully chosen to convey deep meaning in a concise manner. In many of the poems, he employs repetition with precision, using it to craft a rhythmic cadence that enhances the emotional impact and resonance of his verses. For example, in the poem “Illusion,” Sahibdeen skillfully uses repetition to mimic the steady, rhythmic sound of drums, creating a cadence that echoes throughout the verses. Leading in with the line, “I heard the sound of drums,” this repetition establishes a hypnotic rhythm and reinforces the poem’s central theme of the persistence of illusions that beat steadily in the mind. Like the unrelenting pulse of a drum circle, the repetitive structure amplifies the sense of inescapable thoughts, making the poem’s exploration of illusion only more haunting.

This collection will resonate with readers who have a deep respect for God and appreciation for nature. The poems’ introspective prompts will delight poetry-lovers who ponder the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of life. Sahibdeen’s poetry combines rich, worldly experience with a meditative quality that readers will find especially compelling. Moreover, Sahibdeen has paced the collection beautifully, interspersing his characteristic short-form poems with lyrical, almost musical pieces to ensure his readers cannot grow bored. Poems by Israfil Sahibdeen invites contemplation and a deeper connection between the natural world, the inner workings of the mind, and spiritual expression within us all.