Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph fma –
A Compass for a Groping Generation by Fr. Matthew Adukanil, SDB is a masterpiece of that will speak volumes to those who are familiar with poetry or beginners to the genre, with beautiful and soul-cleansing revelations.
A closer look at these excellently well written poems will take the reader close to the heart of life in its multi-faceted dimensions. The words chosen by the author are indeed greatly artistic and truly motivating, they have the power to touch and heal. Here, the meaning and the power of poetry stands out eloquently. Packed with thought provoking and inspiring messages for life, Adukanil challenges the reader to engage in Contemplation and action.
A great lover of humanity, a well-versed scholar and a down-to-earth person, Adukanil, in this book has penned 52 poems on a variety of topics. What is the purpose of this book of poetry? It wants to throw light on the multi-faced aspects of today’s human existence. This remarkable book has a clear presentation: Beginning with a general introduction to nature of literature and poetry and an article on the relationship between literature and life for the reader to profit from reading these poems.
What are the topics that are considered in this volume? A variety of themes that touch upon the crux of contemporary life are laced in it. Are you curious about politics? Are you longing for an ideal nation? Are you interested in Democracy? Health? Well-being? Education? Spirituality? Are you keen on knowing a bit more about the sublime and the divine? Absolutely you will find all these and much more in this creative book. Few of these poems touch also the divine element in human life and help to find an answer to our human dilemmas.
A number of these poems are tinted with the stamp of Corona pandemic times. Many of these poems were published from 2020 to 2023 in well-known magazines such as: The New Leader, Indian Currents, Magnet, The Salesian Bulletin etc. This collection is the fruit of Adukanil’s personal reflection in quiet time. As aptly expressed by the author, these poems are “presented to you in the hope that your engagement with them will enable to live life at a more meaningful and rewarding way.”
To understand and taste the real worth and beauty of these poems, one needs to take time to read, reflect and cherish them. To get a glimpse into it, let us take a glance at few verses.
Poem 6: Down on your knees:
“Take a break from incessant online chatter
To explore the rich recesses of your soul
If you value your own dear, precious life
Reconnect to the forgotten Author of Life.”
What a splendid invitation to take a break from incessant online chatter to explore the richness of your soul and to reconnect to the forgotten Author of life for if you value your own precious life.
Poem 22 Thirst Busting Water:
Drink of this life-bestowing water
Washing out guilt, bestowing healing
And reconciliation, drowning out hate
And making lovely rose buds bloom.
What an ecstasy of such well-chosen words, capable of cutting through anyone’s being bringing in healing and reconciliation, drowning out hate and letting pretty rose buds bloom.
Poem 48 Alive to God’s Presence:
His signature is in nature and in our hearts
For in Him only we live, move and breathe.
How lofty and profound are these short lines. They express the depth and breadth of one’s being and operating in Him.
Hearty congratulations to our esteemed author for bringing into life such Priceless Poems that uplift the human spirit.
For copies please contact:
Fr. Antony Pancras
New Leader Books
New Leader Publications (NLP)
Catholic Centre, II Floor
64, Armenian Street
Chennai – 600 001
Tamil Nadu, S. India.
Ph: (044) 25362371
E-mail: [email protected]