Gopal Lahiri’s poetry book entitled “Alleys are Filled with Future Alphabets” consists 102 poems of multiple varieties. He comfortably penned down his alleys of thoughts that are filled with future alphabets of the poet’s own idea, vision and his drowsiness over words. Gopal is a wordsmith which is why he is very serious in choosing the title of the book in such weaving.
His first poem in this collection “First Birth “begins with two owls shouting from the rooftops, a hurricane of bats fly around, a father devours his own child in silence.” The entire poem bears his mastery over language. He indicates the death of an unpublished poem. He has been able to create a whirlwind of words from where readers turn outwalked. His poem “The other I” is a signature of surrealism where he easily writes: “You are here but far beyond real and more real.”
Gopal has collected and translated the sparse ideas into one frame. The poet is highly romantic. His crest for his lady lives and their memories are nostalgic, but as fresh as the sunlight forever. His poem “I still love” is a replica of his romantic heart. He can easily invoke, “I still love, I promise I still love.” A poet who can surrender to love for his inspiration to compose his heart can easily win the heart of the young generation. Gopal is very young and a forever young poet who can romance with his life.
Alleys are filled with future alphabets, as a poetry collection, is wonderful in arresting the attention of the readers and humble in exposure. The serenity of his lofty thoughts is his hidden treasure. Poems in this collection are not too long, not too short, the reader may be able to connect easily.
Gopal has a deep love for Dylan Thomas, the British English poet. Dark is night, his poem is a tribute to Dylan Thomas. Gopal Lahiri is a worshipper of freedom, he wants freedom to remain a free soul who will freely guide the upcoming generations. He mentions, in his poem entitled My freedom: “I want to have the only thing that counts; freedom.” As we know that variety is the spice of life, so are the poems of Gopal Lahiri. He has depicted life in different forms and in different colors. Gopal, as a poet, is endless.
In this book curious readers will enjoy the beautiful preamble for Gopal Lahiri ‘s book written by Sharmila Ray. Epoch making blurb has been enraptured by Professor Sanjukta Dasgupta. The postface of this book has been written wonderfully by John Thieme from University of East Anglia (UK). Last but not least it may be added that every reader will be able to enter their own alleys with their future alphabets through Gopal Lahiri.
Thank You Gopal Lahiri for gifting us this magnificent poetic creation.
(The reviewer is the editor of Indology English Magazine, West Bengal)
Binay Laha, book reviewer
Poet Gopal Lahiri