The Charm and Constraints of Short-Form Poetry in 'Jasmines in Her Hair'
A copy of the book has been provided by the publisher, Bookshelf PH, in exchange for an honest review.
“Perhaps that weight that you carry.
Is on your mind, not your shoulder.
Perhaps you wouldn’t be so weary, when you realize its a pebble, not a boulder.”
Jasmines in Her Hair by Kalpesh Desai is a collection of short burst, or Instagram-style, poems that revolve around themes such as love, lust, and longing.
My initial thoughts on this collection were that it reminded me of the poetry I read when I first started exploring the genre. Collections by the author Lang Leav come to mind, and this immediately created a connection with the work for me. The poetry in this collection is straightforward; it easily captures the attention of the reader, requiring no deep contemplation. However, in my opinion, the poetry lacks the fundamental elements I have come to appreciate. There is almost nothing to discover; it simply says what it needs to say.
The book revolves around the aforementioned themes, which makes these burst poems accessible. It markets itself well for Instagram stories and captions. I believe the author is writing from personal experiences, but the exploration of those experiences is written in a very direct way. For instance, the poet uses the phrase “our hearts are enjouned, like glue” (from the poem “Distance” by the author) to describe the interconnectedness he feels with a distant partner. The imagery is clear and direct but lacks imagination. Once again, in my opinion
That is not to say I don’t see value in this form of poetry. Many people, I believe, would find solace in these short verses and appreciate not just the simplicity of the writing but also the accessibility of the themes and imagery. While I experienced a sense of flatness, others might find the text rich or even eloquent.
For me, there is no connection between reader and writer within the work, and hardly any connection between reader and the poems. Consequently, I struggled to take it very seriously. A younger version of me might have written a different review.
In conclusion, poetry—like all art—is nothing more than feeling: the emotional journey evoked by the ignition of the imagination and the connection it creates between the viewer and the object. Poetry, like painting, should stimulate the mind and work its way through your system, not vanish from memory the moment the Instagram story expires.