Wings of the Heart
An Anthology of poems
by
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In the 'Wings of the Heart', the poet draws vivid images and descriptions of her rich, first-hand experiences inspired by her life in a multi-cultural setting in three countries-India, Ghana and the UK. What a kaleidoscope of people, wealth of feelings and rich experiences are narrated through poetry, in this book! The poet is a happy person in 'Fulfillment', 'From Moment to Moment', and 'Beyond the Clouds'; she becomes a disappointed lover in 'From Here to Eternity', and a sad human being in - 'My Youngest Sibling'; In 'What is a Heart bereft of Hope'? she transforms herself into an optimist while in 'Feelings', 'Dreams', 'Dreams and Realities' and 'The Mosaic of Existence', she becomes a thoughtful pragmatist. In 'When', 'Why' and 'Where', she becomes an inquisitive journalist seeking answers to some important riddles of life. While in poems like 'Bollywood', 'Exotica' and 'Spicy Extravaganza', the author assumes the role of an observer-cum commentator of life in India, in poems like 'Symbolic Way of life', 'Charismatic Melodies' and 'Lizzy in Memoriam', she introduces her readers to a wealth of cultural images and extra-ordinary pictures of colourful Ghana. If she is philosophic and nostalgic in 'Sweet Fragrance Of Destiny', and 'My Wonderful World', she becomes an optimistic romantic in 'Wild Wind of Emotion'. In the poems ‘Autumn’ and ‘Lord and Ladies Divine’, she is philosophic and religious; In emotional outbursts like, ‘Companions of the Night’ and ‘ The Queen of the Heart’, she once again transforms herself into a romantic; Yet again she becomes a keen narrator of the humorous aspects of life and Ghanaian culture in ‘Bend-down-Boutiques’ and ‘A Philosophy of Life’. Some short excerpts from the book WINGS OF THE HEART Poetry and Music are sisters twain; One is fantasy; the other falling rain. One paints a thousand romantic pictures; The other sings of great sages and scriptures. Both soothe the body and the anxious mind, They trigger romance, so it's easy to unwind. SUNSET AND STARS Sunset and stars; Moments and hours; So beautiful, so divine, More intoxicating than vintage wine. HOPE Hope brings me strength; hope brings me joy; Hope uplifts my mind towards the sky. Hope is that magic, beyond all logic That makes me smile or run over a mile. DREAMS Dreams are made of tinsel fairy tales, Told in distant lands o'er hills and dales. One's subconscious mind they race to embrace, Yet, suddenly, they disappear without a trace. BEYOND THE CLOUDS Let the body mind and free spirit hold; Let's go away beyond this mundane world To a fascinating new adventurous realm, Where death and disaster don't overwhelm, Where distances birds and the trees, Rivers, oceans and the sea breeze, Nothing reminds us of separation blue, Just me, you and love's whispers true. Stupid Cupid Mortals have believed in you right from the start, Because tiny Cupid you're such a sweetheart. Your golden wings are a wonder and delight; Your solid arrows quite impossible to fight. Who can resist your loving piercing darts Which strike at random vulnerable hearts? WILL ELUSIVE TOMORROW BE MINE? I love to wander in my starry world Of hopes and dreams fulfilled. When at nightfall in my bed I’m curled, I ponder over fancy shapes I build. At times crazy thoughts come swirling by, In my futile bid to touch the sky. That’s when I imagine love lost and found, But oh! With a thud I’m on the ground. I WOULD, IF I COULD! I would, if I could, turn the hands of the clock- Fly off in a time machine to the days of the rock. What fun it would be to rock 'n 'roll, twist and jive, To be once again young, carefree and alive! AUTUMN The autumn of life is approaching so fast! What magic wand should I wave to make things last? Should I think of tomorrow that makes me afraid? Or remember yesterday when I wasn’t so dismayed? No moment is forever, I’ve heard wise men say; Let this be a lie, skeptics like me would like to pray.
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About the Book
The second edition of Wings of the Heart celebrates a kaleidoscope of subjects. The poems in this book are full of varied thoughts. The poet becomes nostalgic, sentimental, emotional, romantic, humorous, philosophical, religious, spiritual, or even personal according to the mood she finds herself in. Once she decides to view life from a particular angle, she quickly transforms herself into the person she wishes to portray. Sometimes she becomes an idealist and dreamer or a lover; sometimes she becomes an exponent of religious and spiritual values. Oftentimes, she plays the part of a cultural ambassador trying to recapture the rich diversity of our world and giving her readers glimpses of the rich customs, traditions, and ways of life of the three countries she has lived and worked in. Though sometimes she also becomes a teary-eyed pessimist, more often than not, she becomes an optimist full of the zest for life. In fact, in each poem, she dons the required robe of a happy, sad, optimistic, pessimistic, loving, caring, philosophical, or dreaming human being with specific thoughts, hopes, dreams, and visions. Pam Handa’s poems are in the form of traditional verse. They are rhythmic, soulful, and meaningful. They describe a panoramic view of the millions of thoughts, hopes, fears, joys, achievements, failures, despair, dejection, and rejection we as human beings are bound to face in life. In today’s crazy commercial world, the poems in this book transport us to the good old days when music, poetry, dance, and drama were the wings of the heart and soul. They will surely touch the hearts of most of you who still maintain a sentimental side to your characters even in today’s materialistic world. Readers will surely find these poems close to their hearts. They will not only enjoy reading them but will definitely take home some important lesson.
About the Author
Pam Handa, a poet, novelist, and former president of the Ghana International Women’s Club, graduated in 1964 with a master’s degree in English literature from the prestigious University of Punjab in India. She is a gold medalist from the above university, and it was from its English department that her teaching career was launched in 1966. Pam is the first Indian author to write a cross-cultural novel, Of Kismet and Karma, about three colonial cousins—India, Ghana, and England. In this cultural goulash of fact and fiction, which spans over four decades, she writes about her rich and interesting experiences in the three countries she has lived and worked in. Her main focus is on the diversity of this world. She strongly believes there is much to learn from the rich diversity of our beautiful world. Pam also has three books of poems to her credit, videlicet The Wild Gecko, Amazing Grace, and Wings of the Heart. Her poems deal with a huge variety of multicultural subjects and cover every aspect of life—nostalgic, sentimental, emotional, religious, philosophical, spiritual, humorous, and even personal. They will surely appeal to all kinds of readers. View my work at pamhanda@blogspot or meet me on Facebook.