'MARROW' by Sabne Raznik - A Review

There are instances in your life, when you stumble upon amazing things and they form a part of your life. In a similar way, I came across this Art book called 'Marrow' and reading its summary caught my attention. The book was a collection of poems revolving around cancer afflicted people. Much has been written about cancer, the self-engulfing disease, where uncontrolled division of cells unitedly try to end a being, and hence I decided to read it and embarked upon this poetic journey.

Before starting what lies inside, I will like to say something about the outside. The book is graciously simple, with a minimalistic layout composing of a white cover (shown below) with a thread running along its spine, adding more to its elegance. I know, I am talking more about the 'Look and Feel', but sometimes these parts need mentioning and portray the author's mindset.

 

The book consists of 3 poems, viz Mrs. Albuninah, Memory Fractured and Marrow (the title).

Mrs. Albuninah is a poem written from an inquisitive outlook, with periodic switching between 2 stories- A hospitalized Irani woman and the person's nephew, both afflicted by cancer. The poem is a beautiful observation, coupled with a simplistic view, trying to understand, observe and absorb what is happening around. From the people visiting, to the patients' eating habits, and a want of striking a conversation, Sabne has tried to keep it simple and direct.
There are sparks of amazement, where the poetess gets into finer details with description of the woman's eyes, beautiful and teary, telling you a story, carrying the sorrow of generations.

"Her Eyes

Are the most striking thing

Dark and deep like pools

At midnight

They are lighter

Around the edges of the irises

Decidedly brown"

The nephew's distress, pain, anguish due to the treatment is captured in detail. This part is a dramatic turn and may not go well with the faint-hearted, but reality cannot be cushioned. This poem is the lengthiest amongst the 3 and is a deep, detailed and immersive experience of living through 2 stories.

Memory fractured and Marrow are 2 direct tattles, speaking of death, with a tinge of gore and absolute conviction. 

Overall, the book brings together stories, talks, ideas, all revolving around Cancer and its effects on the people afflicted, their relatives and give you an insight into one of the dreaded phenomenon - CANCER.

Everyone should read this once.

The proceeds from the book go to St. Jude's hospital.

In a beautiful dark corner

Ever felt like resting in a space, where no one sees you, isolation your only companion, taking some time out of the hustle-bustle, your thoughts jumping from the edges of your brain, ears sucking out every bit of nectar from your playlist?

In crowded cities, the above paragraph would be like finding out a thread in the unending desert. But to your dismay, I found such a place!! It was a simple, ill mannered, roadside parking place, where dozens of cars lined up any which way possible. There was an abandoned cement seat behind the cars, waiting like a depressed alcoholic, looking for someone to share it's sorrow. 


As I said, the seat was abandoned, I was the only lost person to find someone else lost in the already lost crowd. I sat there, thinking not to think, but thoughts always disappoint you, and they didn't make any exception for me. I sat there thinking someone would look at me (it ain't desperation for attention, just finding similar people). There was no single living being, which turned its head towards this spot, this point in infinity, left to rot, and gobbled by darkness. Are all people really too lost in practicality or did I choose a really untouchable and boycotted spot? Whatever the answer may be, I enjoyed my outing with me. 

Even if anyone doesn't look at you, you can look at them. I saw a lot of people passing, in couples, triples, singles. Numerable Minds thinking of whatever they wanted to, out of compulsion, happiness, problems, hopes, stress, defeat, love, and etcetera as well. It felt great to watch people from a place, where no one sees you, in their most honest forms (I couldn't make out the fake ones, I am too optimistic).


Peace of mind is a myth, when you roam in herds, but for a traveler, even a cemetery can turn out heavenly. Going into isolation is similar to dying temporarily, increase the duration and you get to know yourself better. I am not preaching isolation as a way of life, but sometimes being introverted for sometime can help you think what you want to, instead of only the reactions to things happening around. The beautiful black corner was no all exclusive V.I.P. spot, nor did I pay for it. Go ahead, find such a spot and see how your mind talks to you.