Between the Sublime and the Fierce | A Review of Dr. Aparna Suresh’s Becoming Her

Becoming Her | An Anthology of Poetry

By Dr. Aparna Suresh | Review

The first thing that strikes me about a book is its cover – its rich and vibrant texture!

And so it was that when I received a copy of Dr. Aparna’s fifth book of poetry titled, Becoming Her, I was simply bowled over by the vibrant cover design – its texture!

The cover sports an impressive graphic visualisation of a progress bar, representing the emotional journey of the poet – something that is highly symbolic with a lot of takeaways! Added, the slider-knob, featuring a silhouette of a woman boldly walking her way forward, effectively symbolises the evolving nature of one’s personal growth, reiterating and also reinforcing the fact that, “becoming” is not just a destination but an endless journey – a lovely quest of sorts!

The second thing that impressed me about the book is the emotional chords and the vibes that the poems within, strike in you. In fact, the book is a powerful testament to scriptotherapy - the therapeutic nature of expressing oneself – on how women evolve from being passive objects to active, empowered creators of their own narratives! To this end, this book of 128 pages, beautifully captures and catalogues this multifaceted journey of modern womanhood in all its myriad splendour.

The third impressive feature of the book is that, Dr. Aparna’s poetry skilfully challenges the romanticisation of female suffering. In her poem titled, “Myth of Selfless Sacrifice”, she dismantles the notion that endless giving is purely noble, reminding the reader that “Every sacrifice / Comes with a receipt”. She further critiques societal conditioning in “Chastity: A Leash”, describing it as a doctrine “Like an armour / Which is not a shield / But that cages her soul!”.

The anthology also highlights issues concerning the harsh realities of fertility and mothering. Her poignant poem titled, “The Unreachable Abode” captures the silent agony of infertility treatments, describing the “Hormone loads and loads / Injected into the trembling body”.

Yet another poem titled, “Mantle of Motherhood” explores the duality of raising a child, acknowledging the labour as a task that drains, yet ultimately “fills me in ways / Nothing else can!”.

Coming now to the titular poem of the anthology - “Becoming Her” – which describes pain as a chisel that shapes stone into wonder. The “wild spirit” that society tries to tame within the woman, eventually awakens, allowing the woman to conquer the world on her own terms! A “Woww” to that!

In the poem titled, “Ecofeminism”, Dr. Aparna draws a haunting parallel between the plundering of the earth and the medicalisation of the female body. She writes that women, much like the earth, “Nourish and nurture / But they are abused / By what they consume”. The clinical interventions associated with infertility are depicted as a battlefield, where the “Cruel hands of science / Tires her in the name of infertility!”. This aligns the exploitation of the womb with the exploitation of the world, calling for a radical awakening amongst the literati!

In the poem titled, “Agency”, she boldly defends a woman’s right to choose her own path, even if that path is traditional marriage and family building; it is the ownership of the choice – “Her agency / Her dream” – that’s what matters, she pens!

One particular poem that deserves accolades and commendation is the subversion of the misogynistic trope that women are almost always dubbed as inherent rivals to their own tribe – their gender!

In her poem titled, “Her Tribe”, she celebrates female solidarity as a “magic potion” and a “balm”, arguing that if women were truly united, even “The world would shift on its axis”.

To me, personally, this lovely focalisation, represents a beautiful shift in focus – from celebrating the far and distant heroes, to instead celebrating true inspiration in everyday figures - the tirelessly working doctor mother, the deeply nurturing mother-in-law, and the intellectually generous teacher who decodes complex theories with ease.

The poems are so striking in their appeal, so vivid in their picturesque attention to detail, and interspersed with such memorable quotes all through the book.

Would love to quote some memorable lines for us all –

She learns early

That love is measured

In the shape of rotis

Not in the curve of dreams!

***

Her silence

Is not a submission

Her calmness

Is not a compromise

Her strength

Lies elsewhere

And needs no validation!

***

Why do we keep dressing up pain

In silken robes!

Why do we cheat ourselves

With these labels!

***

She breaks the mould

And walks with her head held high

Such women

Do not wait for crowns.

They are the crown

They are the Divas!

***

Change is the only thing

That doesn’t change!

It neither flatters

Nor deceives

Unlike humans

It speaks the truth

***

The stabs are silent, unapologetic

No visible wounds, no blood,

Just a seething pain

***

Then, she rose.

Not to wear a crown

But to slay the monsters!

***

Coming back -

I personally feel that, what makes this book unique for us, her readers - is the judicious balance that she strikes in our hearts – between the sublime and the fierce!

On one side, there is an absolute and bold refusal to wait for a saviour. The protagonist transitions, nay, evolves from a little girl mourning the loss of a protective father to a “Dragon Princess” who breathes fire - not to conquer thrones, but to carve her own unshakeable path.

On the other end, the anthology exhorts her readers to cultivate and to practice a deep appreciation for universal harmony. In the poem titled, “Binaries”, the poet acknowledges that men and women “Contain one another” and must “Unite in sacred harmony”.

In fact, it is this lovely blend that makes the book an indispensable, highly enriching and deeply engaging read of sorts!

On a concluding note, I wish to congratulate Dr. Aparna on reaching a sensational milestone of sorts! Her fifth collection of poetry! This is no small feat!

In fact, this in itself is a beautiful testament to an enduring commitment to the craft with such passion and verve!

Added, this remarkable consistency, coupled with the uniqueness of her ‘voice’, and her dedication to the craft of writing is awe-inspiring by all means!

In fact, “She lives a life of poetry”.