avatarDenise Darby

Summary

Denise Darby reflects on and pays tribute to Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar's evocative poem "The Place," exploring themes of spirituality, introspection, and the search for inner peace amidst the conditioning of the material world.

Abstract

In response to Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar's poem "The Place," Denise Darby expresses a profound sense of awe for the depth and impact of Majumdar's poetry. Darby delves into the layers of Majumdar's work, interpreting the metaphorical journey of a lone leaf on a calm lake as a symbol of existential questioning and spiritual awakening. The poem's imagery evokes a sense of place that transcends physical boundaries, guiding the reader through a landscape of serene natural beauty, celestial wonder, and the paradoxes of perception. Darby particularly resonates with the poem's call to question societal norms and the emphasis on finding the true essence of home within oneself, rather than in the physical constructs of brick-and-mortar houses. The essay culminates in a hopeful note, suggesting that recognition of our inner place is a shared human experience, one that can be sparked by the seemingly mundane aspects of life.

Opinions

  • Darby holds Majumdar's poetry in high regard, considering it a source of inspiration and spiritual insight.
  • The interpretation of "The Place" suggests that Darby values introspection and the search for deeper meaning in life.
  • Darby appreciates the paradoxical nature of the poem, which challenges conventional seeing and knowing.
  • The essay conveys a reverence for the natural world as a conduit for understanding the divine and the self.
  • Darby emphasizes the importance of learning to recognize and embrace the metaphorical 'home' within each person.
  • The mention of other poets at the end of the essay indicates Darby's appreciation for a community of poets who inspire awe and provoke thought.

The Place, A Response

Monoreena tagged me in a poem and I feel compelled to respond.

Photo by Anastasiya Romanova on Unsplash

Can we feel awe for another person? I believe that we can. It is what I feel for a fellow Medium Writer and I’d like to pay tribute to her here.

Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar’s poetry has spoken to me on more than one occasion. I often feel the need to fully digest her words, taking the stanzas apart bit by bit until I absorb their full meaning.

I was so compelled when I read her poem, The Place, published on January 15, 2022.

The second to last verse: “We are so conditioned to knock the doors of our brick-n-mortar houses” left me uttering “…but…” I wanted to complete it as a sentence.

“We are so conditioned to knock the doors of our brick-n-mortar houses,” but what of the house within, what of the metaphorical house that we are?

I will go back to the beginning to follow the flow of her words with my interpretation. I hope that I can do it justice.

What is this place Beside the lake of calm ripples, that a lone leaf, floating, catches the rhythm at leisure,

Noticing a “lone leaf” “that catches the rhythm at leisure” sparks a spiritual awareness and, at first, it is just a question: “What is this place?”

What is this place Fenceless, Yet permits are asked for,

This place, Green carpets the snowfields, Gay hues wrap the summer white,

The place imperceptible, Lending ladder to the firmament, Walking over clouds, bridges Un-burnt, you meet a blob, Hazy but familiar —

This place, “lending ladder to firmament”, brings her to the heavens, touches a place within that she knows, recognizes, but is unformed and unclear.

You try to give a shape You assign a size Shapeless it remains, Luminescent,

The cloud-man dumps the bundle of antsy in the air, Parachuting as glistening dews, Scatters on blooms…. God lies in its sudden death

Noticing the “antsy in the air”, following it to Earth, the cycle complete she sees God in the death of dew dropping to the Earth and the implied subsequent rebirth. She continues to question and begins to understand a deeper meaning.

What is this place Sight blocked Vision enabled Foundation of depth Pillars of faith Litany of the unaccustomed, Epiphany of the wordless,

“Sight blocked, vision enabled”. The paradox! We have to stop seeing, to see.

Where is this place Of lilac scented ylang-ylang, Lanterns burning the midnight oil, Street lights flicker and end,

Where is the place which dances with the whiff, Runs with the helium, Mist sprays the tresses, Exhaling freedom, Soul liberated

Then in her ode to the healer, “where is this place”? An outpouring of lyrical, celebratory complements follows, and she is brought back to our reality.

We are so conditioned to knock the doors of our brick-n-mortar houses

She leaves us with a question.

Do we learn to come home……

We can only hope that we learn to come home, that we learn to see, to know the place within that is within us all and is a common thread that runs through all of humanity.

Sometimes a lone leaf sparks its recognition, sometimes a kitten. One never knows what will bring them home but we must try to always listen.

Thank you Monoreena for such beautiful and awe-inspiring words.

A few more poets I find awe-inspiring:

Joseph Lieungh Løtuz Erika Burkhalter Ravyne Hawke Radhika Iyer Michelle Berry Lane

For Awe
Tribute
Poetry
Spirituality
Mindfulness
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