This book, Ink and Light, an anthology of poetry by our very own, Nia Shetty is filled with such moments.
Raw.
Powerful. Immediate. Shetty’s subject matter strikes an impressive chord. Each
line resonates energy and angst, anguish and anticipation. Clarity and an
unnervingly keen conception of ‘how it is’.
She doesn’t spare the truth either. Diaspora, the forced shedding of cultural identity, racial discrimination, and the eternal search for buried hope; all chime subtly throughout each poem but amazingly, never in an oppressive nor despairing way.
There is a force of optimism and expectation behind each verse
that somehow provides light to the various patches of shade.
The
resulting pieces are articulate, elegant odes to the author’s cultural roots
and sharp contemporary observations. And, as mentioned, stirring enough to incite
genuine emotion.
It is easy to forget this author is still in her teens. Her observations and exquisite use of figurative language belie a maturity beyond her years and frames of reference yet this work is pure-hearted and unashamedly arresting. A testimony perhaps to the sort of comprehension young people are truly capable of; a reminder to us all that life matters and is experienced and felt by all of us regardless of age. Attributes that make it appealing to both school-aged readers and adults alike.
I have always regarded poetry from a peripheral point-of-view; as a bit of an oil-slicked puddle, admired for its swirling beautiful dirty rainbows but skirted around nonetheless. This anthology has encouraged me to stop and look more closely. There is a depth and density to it that is open to interpretation yet still beautiful enough for the non-poetry aficionado to appreciate. Perhaps that is the true essence of poetry. Its ability to reach the individual with both arms outstretched. Ink and Light does this and then some.
And,
is a collection I can’t recommend highly enough.
Nia
Shetty, from Texas in the USA, is a young lady of multiple literary talents.
She is the founder for Page2Page, a copy writer, magazine editor,
content contributor and junior book reviewer (for Kids’
Book Review)
as well as an ambassador for Birthday Bash Box. Her goals include making
books and reading more accessible to youths from every walk of life. This is
her first fully authored anthology.
Connect
with Nia via her Facebook page or on Instagram.
Title: Ink and Light
Author: Nia Shetty
Cover Art: Daniyal Loya
Publisher: iWRITE Kids Publishing
Publication Date: November 2024
Format: Paperback, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781941515341 (PB), 9781941515297 (HB)
For ages: 12+
Type: Poetry