Dark Verses

Description

There ARE a few traits about poetry that I’m not particularly fond of. One of them would be, being clueless about what’s going on in the poems, which can be very frustrating and challenging at times, let alone absorbing the multiple perspectives they give off. Thus I’ve strived to maintain the modus operandi that an average person or even someone who has never read a poetry book, can perceive, in at least one of those perspectives.
The notion is that strong women can, at times, be compelled to propel themselves into snares, with one of the kernel reasons for doing so being obsession. Through the eyes of a woman, as most women could see it; I attest that obsession is a potential pathway to depression, and inevitable destruction. The downright essence of obsession can either compel one to melancholy, or drive one to the other extreme, to lunacy. My significant collection of poetry revolves around the bitter truth and consequences behind obsession, through the subtle, ethereal bomb that is reality, with zero romanticism of either pain and happiness. Metaphor has been my fundamental tool, the means of which I use to illustrate what an inferiority complex would actually feel like, how excessive sweetness accompanies diabetes with it, along with varieties of other dark feelings of estrangement, in a laid-back writing style.
Notions of a femme fatale figure, no competition can stand before, beauty of an Aphrodite, head turning demeanor, an unmatchable personality is raved, coupled with her battles and struggles following it. This being quite mystical, rules me out to spill more tea, but to let the mystery unfold itself when you read the few but, special, and close to my heart, vehement collection of poems.
The existence of the Omnipotent is a reality to me. Hence the poems revolve around reality, how it works, what is its nature, at times enigmatic and incomprehensible, at times reassuring and kind, but how is it the ultimate source of peace. Weaving the words, delicately and succinctly, keeping the powerful essence of each poem intact, I believe it is suitable and fascinating for anyone to read, despite their religious beliefs. Since reality isn’t always pleasing, and stuffing this with pious clichés would be deceptive of me, it contains rather a fair percentage of disagreements and arguments as well.
My perspectives and observations, along with some strong opinions on certain subjects, have been tended enough to be incorporated in the anthology. With regards to the psychological terminology, NARCISSISM, it’s more common than you think. And if YOU happen to be one of its victims/survivors then things must not be easy for you. Juxtaposing it with metaphorical phenomena like menstrual pain, the fall season, moon vines and sunflowers, (though you’ll surface a lot more metaphors while reading), has been my maintained protocol. The purpose of entailing this subject is to let the readers know they’re not alone, there are many victims who are dealing with extreme forms of narcissism, which doesn’t necessarily entail a solution, but to give them strength and encouragement to keep going, as it can be prolonged, but not a forever catastrophe. And to encourage them to research more on it, to rule themselves out from being trapped in instant manipulation, maintaining their self-trust and belief intact and to deal it with sanity.

About The Author

Apeksha Girwal is a 24 year old Indian poet from a small town named Bilaspur, in Chhattisgarh. At the age 21, she moved to Bangalore, Karnataka for further studies. While pursuing her studies, she began writing poems (exactly one year before this book is published). Her first ever poem was, ‘She was trapped in the sands of her own time’, which has been included in this anthology. She strongly believes in the bible verse Ecclesiastes 7:2, which states that it’s better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting. She holds some strong contrarian opinions which are expressed in this book. Moreover, she loves fashion, reading, chess (a dilettante), and all forms of art. She holds a special interest in psychology as well, and studies it sporadically. During the lockdown period, she began writing more poems which gained appreciation from her peers and fellow readers. And the encouragements she received, helped her to compile all her writings into one book.