EVENTIDE BY VASUDHA PANSARE

 ‘Eventide’ – the title of the poetry book by Vasudha Pansare hints at a major theme that nestles within, one that deals with the evening of our lives.

“However long, the day will end,” says the poet, using a metaphor for life and death, which is carried on throughout the book in various other poems such as ‘The Evening of Life’, ‘Mortality’, ‘The Evening Sky’, ‘Twilight’, ‘Evening’ and ‘When It’s Time to Die’.

“Tranquil should be our sunset years,”

“The twilight has entered my being, / And tranquil I feel, without and within.”

“The sun of youthfulness has set, / And I do not regret.”

The poet prays for the health and happiness of all in the eventide of life. Another apt metaphor sings of the ocean of life and human beings as boats. “I am a weak little boat, and the waves turbulent.” She is very much a nature poet as she finds beauty everywhere in nature. “We are like Autumn leaves, / Here today, gone tomorrow.”

A sense of thankfulness runs through many of Vasudha Pansare’s poems.

‘Growing Older’ describes how “the pace of life/ Becomes slow and steady” while ‘Memories’ are precious and to be cherished. Life is full of ‘Wonder’, which includes the wonderful beauty of Nature and human goodness, the miracle of life and the heart to feel, words that remind one of Wordsworth and the Nature poets. The cup of life will overflow when one gives generously.

The Spring Season (Cascade Poetry) describes the beauty of the season, with pristine greenness spreading everywhere, as a sense of joy pervades animals, birds, human beings, flowers and even rivers gurgling happily.

Writing is obviously a significant part of the poet’s life. In the poem ‘The Power of an Idea’, she explores the idea of how every revolution begins with an idea, quoting Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi whose ideas inspired the world. She waxes eloquent about the bliss of creativity, waiting for words of inspiration as she moves towards “the paradise of poetic passion”. For she is unique, her poetry her achievement, “her golden fleece”.

The patriotic streak emerges in many poems in which she visualises an India that is free of social evils. ‘Dawn’ portrays the state of the country where secularism is under threat, a portrait that spans across other poems like ‘I Bet’ and ‘The Dream I Still Cherish ‘where she talks of a world turning into a utopia minus corruption, discrimination, tree cutting, violence against women and children and poverty. The nation needs wisdom rather than knowledge and compassion rather than just intelligence. ‘I am Not Only a Foetus’ speaks of the telling truth of how a girl has a right to be born, live and grow up, healthy and happy.

History has thrown up many events and leaders who have made their mark in the world. ‘The Power of One’ proclaims that “One man can change the world, for better or for worse.” Lincoln, Gandhi and Hitler, proved that “One rebel can start a revolution.”

‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ are the greats like Dr. B R Ambedkar and Abe Lincoln who fought for women’s emancipation and black emancipation respectively (‘Emancipation’). It is time to ‘Make the Nation Strong Again’ and bring back Nehru, Gandhi, Patel Tagore, Bhagat Singh and the like.

What is unique about this book of poetry is how much it packs within a slim volume. There are 101 poems, followed by eight Tiny Verses at the end.

There is no denying the beauty of the language used by the poet in many of her poems.  Whether it is “days like simmering satin” in ‘Those Jasmine Days’ or ‘The Music of the Falling Rain’, or the wonder of a little girl holding a dandelion “blowing away the tiny petals in the wind”, the images are languid and telling. The last image continues in the poem ‘Dandelions’ where the poet denies that dandelions are weeds. “They are the marvelous seeds, / Of wishes and dreams, / Scattered in the winds of hope.” In them lie “the passions of the common folk.”

Memories abound in the poems. ‘Sweet Childhood Memories’ portrays the poet’s bond with her grandparents, getting wet in the rain and plying paper boats in the puddles, the joy of ice cream and the sweetness of pink cotton candy. ‘Missing You, Mom’ is poignant as she misses her mother every moment, while drinking coffee, during festivals, or in her love of music, books and films. Only memories now.

However, in the poem ‘Fading Footprints’, the poet says, “Your footprints on the sands of time, / Will slowly disappear, fade away.” Since memories will be erased, one should spread joyfulness as long as one lives.

She laments over the years that have been lost in the Pandemic, praying that the world comes back to normal.

While many of the poems contain inspiring messages, there are a few that stand out for their originality. One of my favourites is ‘Trees can Walk and Mountains Can Fly Too’ that describes Dashrath Manjhi, the Mountain man who defied the mountain for 22 years, then made a path through the mountain to help people to reach hospital in time. Likewise, Birnam wood walked to Birmingham, leading to Macbeth’s final defeat. Wonderful feats, making the impossible possible.

‘Blaze’ is another inspiring poem which talks of the blaze that drives great poet saints, martyrs and scientists to enrich humanity.

‘Ocean Asked the Sky’ is a beautiful love story of the ocean pining for the sky, expressing its feelings over their fragile bond.

‘The Wandering Heart’ reminds one of the poem 'Ulysses' – “Old age and this pandemic has limited our lives, / And in these sunset years we yearn for adventure, /We yearn for new experiences “

It is said that writers leave a bit of themselves in their works. This is evident in poems like ‘My Age is Just a Number’ and ‘I Am Still a Child’ where the poet remarks that she is still young at heart, bright and happy.

 “And though my heart flutters like a bird, /My verse is strong and positive, / My lines stand straight/ Like sunflowers looking at the sun.”

The last poem titled ‘Sunset Years’ sums it all up.

“Peace of mind is what I seek, / In the sunset of my life.” Good books, films, music, friends, thoughts good work – these small pleasures leading to ‘Inner Peace’ which serves as the Epilogue of the book.

Some delightful illustrations by the nine-year-old Mihika Gupta and apt photographs further enhance this book of poems that should be read by all those who savour poems that shine with simplicity and fervour.