Songs of the raven explores our lives and critically examines the mind which projects visions and builds scenarios, so complex, it makes life a challenging affair. The whole plethora of human liabilities, yearnings and excesses are viewed through the eyes of a Raven, dark and cloaked by mysteries far beyond human comprehension. The poems are about our misgivings, our qualms and the seemingly innocent actions that fling the lives of others into a nauseating spin. All of this viewed dispassionately, with an open mind. It is a self exploration, this time there are no gaudy frills, nor the storms of misery.
Song of the Raven, by Nikesh Murali,
reviewed by Billie A Williams
By dividing his current works in two parts (Hymns & Dirge) the reader is, s/he thinks, prepared for the messages that follow. As always, Nikesh Murali in "Songs of the Raven" works on the readers preconceived notions of what is, compared to the message Murali as a poet is sending.
The dual meaning imparted in his poetry may be only cultural differences of perceiving, however re-reading "Songs of the Raven" is a new experience each time. The poetry refuses to sit still for one interpretation.
Murali speaks of 'Hymns' before he speaks of 'Dirge' (the funeral) - yet the difference between the two is obscured. There is a death in the hymns to life as there is a living in the Dirge/funeral or death through Murali's masterful use of imagery as well as word choice.
The poems are not dark though they possess a darkness. In our culture we think of the Raven (at least since Poe and "The Tell Tale Heart") of forboding, an omen of the darkness to follow. Murali's Raven is part of this mind set and yet as vastly removed as the Blue Bird of Happiness in other poetic works. His darkest poetry is still light. They are not light though they are riddled with light.
Unsettled is probably the word I would use to describe the feeling I am left with after reading Nikesh Murali's latest work. It tests my reality. It tests my truth. He is a poet, whose words offer a truth that is the reader's own.
Once again I would highly recommend reading "Song of the Raven" and expect you will not stop with one reading; because, as with Nikesh Murali's other works, once never does them justice; never finds all the meaning.
Excerpt
The Rape
The morning heaves a misty sigh,
Cold knives thrust into my eyes.
Dust dabs my dry feet;
In the branches of a tree
Transpires a deadly feat.
They rape a pregnant mother.
Heedless of the rising terror,
Feathers ejected in ghastly frenzy;
In flames, my wells of fancy.
So violent in vision,
So macabre the feel,
Trespassing a cumbersome field of affection.
They plough until blood yields.
Furrows, torn and tattered screams;
Blood trickles
As life tickles death.
To signal the end
A dry leaf falls ground wards.
This collection of poetry addresses the nature of time, reflections on the natural world, the difficulty of loss,
contemporary social issues and gratitude for life.
A people’s heart can be found in their poetic words. In history men and women have stood firmly upon their soapboxes and street corners, rallying the deepest beliefs of people to rise up and be heard. The poetrypages.com has offered that voice a new
