Vihang A. Naik’s collection of poetry, City Times and Other Poems, is a delightful selection of delectable poems written in free verse. This collection is brief, yet profound, and offers the reader a thought-provoking and enchanting way to spend an hour or two.
City Times and Other Poems is divided into six sections which all feature a similar theme. The first section, “The Love Song of a Lost Companion”, acts as a prelude to the rest of the collection. Each piece in this particular section speaks to the rather fleeting nature of many of life’s deepest moments, whether those particular examples are filled with deep joy, intense melancholy, or depressed apathy. An avid reader will find commiseration in this section, as they can reflect on the rare beauty of poetry and inflect their own respective emotions into the words.
The “Mirrored Man” section reads like a series of autobiographical memories and observations from the author, many of which can be interpreted as near-universal feelings of questioning and curiosity. The third poem in “Mirrored Man” is a reflection on the nature of appearances and how the outer skin often does not reflect the true nature of the inner. The author’s metaphor of a chameleon’s ability to change skin at will is undoubtedly profound. Additionally, the untitled seventh poem in this section reflects on the truth that a mirror holds, and the many layers of meaning in this particular poem show a full depth of authorial skill on Naik’s part.
The “Path of Wisdom” section collectively contains some of the strongest poems in the entire collection. Here, each poem contains minute and masterful philosophical snippets that stay with the reader long after the book’s pages have closed. Inspiring the reader to get the most out of life, to be kind, to be patient and dozens of other profound tips, “Path of Wisdom” is by far the most uplifting and profound part of Naik’s work. .
The last section shares the title of the work “City Times”. Naik places here arguably the longest poem in his collection, recalling what is presumably his own trip to his grandfather’s house in India. As Naik describes it, passing his grandfather’s photograph, through a musty attic filled with long-forgotten accessories, and down to a dusty desk, the reader can almost imagine themselves there, filled with a feeling nostalgia and nostalgia. This poem will speak to any reader who has visited the former home of a deceased loved one and experienced a flood of conflicting emotions there.
Although some of the City Times poems and other poems may prove too dense or abstract for all but the most hardened and experienced poetry lovers, Naik’s collection will ultimately delight any reader looking for a collection of deep and thoughtful poetry.
