A symphony of meditative verses adorned in the hues of forget-me-not blue, softly whispering life’s secrets into our eager ears!
In ‘The Blue Whale Sings From Afar,’ Mexico-based poet Josefina Bérard crafts verses softly, just like, in her own words, some ‘‘unicorns floating on the sea” under four primary themes, each embodying a different season. What struck me the most in her poems is how the verses seem to paint a vivid filmic landscape, evoking a sense of introspection akin to Kim Ki Duk’s cinematic brilliance in ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring’ just like the movie her poems seem to echo through the melodic pilgrimage of each season’s gentle embrace—spring’s mystic daisies, summer’s scented Victorian afternoons, autumn’s golden little ashes, and winter’s Opal-like frosty gleam— completing the full circle of life that humbly pays tribute to every passing moment!
The vivid picture of her imagery also reminds me of Wordsworth’s ‘ The Solitary Reaper,’ who is heedlessly witnessing the poetry of the wild! As Berard also says, “Poetry is found in stillness” and “She greets you when she wants to.”
Now, just imagine taking a walk in nature and suddenly feeling more life throbbing all around, more vitality. Have you ever experienced such a magical moment? Well, if yes, then you might want to read this poetry collection because that’s what the poet tries to capture in her poetry. Her verses throw light on how nature is not serious and is very spontaneous, brimming with abundant life. Her poetry is nothing but an invitation to join this celebration, embrace in its uncertainties and partake in its intricate dance. But why does the poet want us to embrace life in each present moment in the first place? Well, her lines like “Life is parting with a paused breath” and “A breath and we are gone” could spark your interest to read more about it yourself!
Interestingly, what makes Berard unique is her how she uses poetic tools in a natural way that keeps the flow of the verses organic. Her choice of words is both precise and evocative, profoundly capturing the essence of poetry. For example, she uses various flowers to symbolize different seasons and feelings, again highlighting the sublime beauty of the transitory nature of life. Just as every season has its flowers and no flower lasts forever, each day is a new chance to be born anew to let life’s fragrance reach you! Curious to know more? Here’s another line from her for you!
“For you cannot feel the rain
Wrapped up inside the same”
Moreover, as we are all aware, colors usually symbolize something. The poetess, thus, frequently uses the color “blue,” but it sounds like she uses it to indicate attributes like tenderness and royalty of the spirit, rather than equating it with feeling blue or sad. She tends to think of the color blue as one of the gentlest tones in the paradise of nature. So in a manner, her verses are just peaceful hymns that try to make a little room for the white clouds’ effacement on the silent face of the blue sky!
In short, I would just say that Josefina, with an artist’s heart, uses her fair knowledge of art and drama to produce a ballet of gentle strokes to bring a voice onto the paper—a voice that flows like whispered secrets in the hearts of all the dreamers. Thus, “The Blue Whale Sings From Afar” is more than just poetry; it’s a collection of soul-inspired spiritual melodies about nature. Josefina’s poems serenade the depths of the heart, much as the blue whale sings softly in the ocean’s depths! Therefore, I advise anyone looking for a poetic voyage that is both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful to get their hands on this book. It is a warm invitation to rediscover the delicate balance of life, encouraging us to cherish the beauty of nature with a fresh sense of awe! grab your copy of “The Blue Whale Sings From Afar” on Amazon now!
I graduated with a Master’s degree in Sociology from Jamia Millia Islamia. Apart from that, I get immersed in poetry, listen to Sufi music and I’m fond of Autumn foliage.