In life, we are oftentimes presented with situations that leave us drained, lonely, or heartbroken. On quiet nights and dreary days when energy becomes strained, there is little that can soothe the heart. However, poetry is one of those things that can keep the mind afloat in a sea of doubt.
Whether by reading or writing, poetry allows us a reprieve for the mind. The smooth flow of words combined into metaphors allows us endless potential to express emotions. The complexity of feelings can be described in multiple ways, like the unexplainable being explained. Poetry recognizes that emotions transcend the limitations of regular language and grammar. Sometimes, it takes comparison or imagery to truly understand how someone feels, and through poetry, we can express it in our own way. Writing poetry becomes a form of release, creating works relieves the overflow of whatever is bothering us, giving us an outlet to let go of our burdens. In this way, we are both releasing stress and exercising our minds through creativity.
Reading poetry also opens our eyes to different perspectives— how grief manifests in others and how they overcome it through their writing. It allows us to process what we are feeling alongside others who have experienced the same emotions. It grants us another presence, through pages, that can comfort us during times when we feel most alone. Through poetry, our minds can be soothed with the knowledge that we are not the first to feel tired, sad, or angry, nor will we be the last to find happiness at the end of it all.
In the same way, "Jasmines in Her Hair" by Kalpesh Desai expresses a complex set of emotions that one experiences in life and love. The progression of poems walks us through the passionate ride of relationships, the lows of heartbreak, and the process of learning to let go and love yourself. Desai employs both long and short poems to portray life as it is—an amalgamation of emotions that consume, break, and eventually heal us.
It is inevitable for people to have days when they grow weary. In the growing sea of negative emotions, our minds seek a way to make sense of it all. Through poetry, we can see a light amidst the darkness and use our experiences in poetry as food for thought, rather than being consumed by them.
By Keanah Angeli R. Andres