Dr Sunil Kumar Navin is a versatile writer, dedicated teacher, admirable administrator, an unobtrusive organiser of academic events and above all a great human being. Soft spoken gentleman, Navin ji, as he is affectionately known among friends’ circles close to him, he has proved his mettle as a gifted translator too.

If his first book of poetry in English I Will Ride My Cycle to School is deemed a bud in the process of blooming, this anthology of poems Reflections may be termed as a scintillating synthesis of an accomplished poet’s creativity and flavour of mellowed person’s philosophy of life. As in all his creative works, the writer’s presence is felt either conspicuously or imperceptibly. The first poem ‘Sob in Silence’ expounds the theme ‘one’s realisation that change is inevitable and getting ready to face eventualities in life is imperative.’ It a poignant poem deeply touching the core of any sensitive soul.

Rich imagery coupled with facile flow of thoughts renders the poems in the book remarkable and it is a rewarding experience to read them. The narrator’s anguished soul is brilliantly represented in ‘a Brave Smile.’ His grief and unbridled love for his child in hospital move the reader to tears. But the way in which he cheers the child to keep faith in himself is the most powerful tool to change lives and destinies. This poem exhorts one not to lose faith in oneself and God. Faith in God reinforces one’s own inner strength to counter mighty destiny and changes lives. Positive and powerful message is conveyed through this superbly sculpted poem.

‘All is not Lost’ carries forward the beam of optimism further and farther. Impressive image in the poem cited here initiates the process of unfolding robust optimistic thoughts.

‘Some memories are sweet
And some, of course, are sour
All come
As waves do
To woo
The shore
And recede to come back again
Like a refrain.’

Cyclic nature of evolution and creation are described in simple, yet emphatic manner leaving an indelible mark.

‘The litter of dead leaves and petals
On the ground below
Only remind us to look at
The branches laden with fresh new leaves
And buds about to bloom
For the world to see and admire.’

At the end of the poem one notices how people who lost hopes of survival in the face of a malevolent nature, suddenly see streaks of light at the end of the tunnel.

William Blake’s influence seems to have guided the poet in a poem like ‘Animal and Man,’ where he paints picture of suffering and pain all around. Exploitation of the weaker sections by the stronger ones figures prominently in this poem. However civilised man may look, animal instinct in him raises its ugly head now and then. What impresses one is the manner in which the poem begins, reminding one of John Keats’ immortal ode ‘Ode to Nightingale.’

Father-son bonding is exquisitely portrayed in ‘Guava Tree.’ The theme of caring and sharing is excellently expatiated.

‘Rearing a child is full of challenges
You give best of Samskars
But can’t ascertain the child
After growing will be a caring one
After all he will behave as you have
With your parents
For the child learns a lot from parents.’

The poet is aware of the present day education system. Hence, he states:

‘Children of today are burdened by weight of books
And tension is great whether they will score better
The mind gets puzzled
And there is hardly time for peace and 
unalloyed joy
That you enjoyed when young.’

S.K. Navin’s love of Nature is well known. Impact of romantic poets, more so of William Wordsworth, is discernible in many of his works. He deprecates vulgar tendency of man to destroy pristine beauty of Mother Nature for his own benefit. Lust for power and land makes him use weapons for destruction of fellow men. Loss of life, vestiges of civilisation and culture do not have any impact on him. The poet feels that birds represent unbridled freedom, unalloyed joy and love of peace in God’s creation. They know not barriers or feuds like human beings. Universe is their domain. Hatred or fanatic frenzy for a faith is unknown to them. They never indulge in annihilation of any group.

‘We are happy
We are birds,
We fly, we sing
And know no human sting.’   [We Are Happy We are Birds]

‘When I am Alone’ is long soliloquy like poem. It dwells on diverse shades of feelings one gets when one is alone. Here too the poet glorifies ease and effortless mode of mobility that marks freedom of thought and action.

‘The world flowed like a river
Not thwarted by scary pitfalls
Our world then wasn’t divided
‘Into narrow domestic walls.’

The next stanza is an exquisite extravaganza of pure delight one may envision in strife torn world of today. S.K. Navin is at his poetic best in painting a mesmerising picture of cascading grandeur of God’s creation. Then follows description of a girl’s unfortunate marriage with an uncouth person.

‘Her smiles I adored
And no less her misty looks
A pain in my heart I bore
Long after she wasn’t any more.’

These lines remind the reader of Lucy Gray in Wordsworth’s poems.

Integrity of the poet may be seen in the poem ‘Wish’, where he unlocks his soul. A person’s ultimate wish for dignity in death is disclosed in the last stanza of the poem.

‘I don’t know
Whether I need to answer my Maker
After I finish my journey here in this world,
But I wish when it’s time for me to leave
My shroud is neat and clean.’

It is this transparency or unveiled honesty of the poet that fascinates a reader of this anthology of poems, where alluring images, sheer power of pure poetry and diverse emotions coalesce. I am optimistic that Reflections will be patronised by all lovers of poetry!

May the wheels keep rolling!
Amen!