Kaleidoscope: An Asian Journey of Colors

Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Modern History Press (2010)
ISBN 9781615990344
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (09/10)

I love Sweta Vikram’s ability to create a colorful pattern of words that describe many aspects of a Hindu woman’s life, both in sorrow and happiness, from birth to death.  “Kaleidoscope: An Asian Journey of Colors” is her second chapbook of musings.

Touching the heart of women, Vikram gives us an opportunity to reflect within ourselves to deepen our own understanding of life.  In the introduction Vikram says “The color she adorns herself with almost depicts the story of her life. (For instance, widowhood cries white and green conveys conception.)” Although each culture has its own interpretation of color, a woman from any culture can resonate with the words Vikram so gracefully carved:

Poetry in Flowers

With feet like petals of daffodils
dipped in almond milk.
Mind, a butterfly nudged
by the toothed leaves of Buttercup.
I dash to chase the breeze
of daisies singing melodies.

Vikram's wordsmithing is outstanding.  I have read much poetry and have never seen such creativeness as that of this author. She allows her words to flow with rhythm and deepness.  The wisdom that comes through her is beyond any I've seen.  She best describes it as:

...the round of turmeric
in the sky serenades me with its color
and tulips sing rhythmic words of poetry.

“Kaleidoscope” by Sweta Srivastava Vikram is like tulips sing[ing] rhythmic words of poetry. Sensational!