‘Earth Song’: Poet Kanji Patel bridges an oppressive world and a free one

Charles Bukowski, in his book Tales of Ordinary Madness, writes, “The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it – basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them.” Earth Song: Selected Poems, written by Kanji Patel and translated from Gujarati by Dileep Jhaveri, explores the worldly material, spiritual and natural substratum to be the voice of these free souls, who often remain unheard and unnoticed. These poems bridge the gap between the oppressive world and the free one.

Home to many lives

Patel’s poems address the human desire to be free. They cut, they sting, and sometimes they simply observe. The collection gives voice to worshippers of nature, many of whom “civilised” society has forgotten, the advisasis. The poem “Come to the Village Fair”, for instance, can be considered an ode to creation. The reader is free to occupy either voice.

“The master asked:
Humans, is this enough for you?
Mankind said:
We shall revel,
play and drink,
sing and dance.

The master asked:
Will you let me join?
Humans said:
Come to the village fair”

Earth is home to many lives. In the poem “The Pathway Speaks”, the planet asks a wayfarer to observe the river, to not restrict its freedom, and to not be a burden. The poet underscores the fact that beauty is to be experienced and...

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