Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of Rhyming with Life by Neelam Saxena Chandra

You know that quiet moment at the end of a long day when the world finally slows down, and you’re left alone with your thoughts? That’s exactly what reading Rhyming with Life feels like. It’s not just a collection of poems—it’s a deep, soulful conversation that gently takes your hand and walks you through life’s ebbs and flows.

Neelam Saxena Chandra isn’t new to the literary world. With multiple books to her credit and a reputation for emotionally resonant poetry, she’s carved a space where vulnerability meets strength. Rhyming with Life continues this tradition but feels more intimate, like a journal where the poet has poured out her heart, trusting the reader to hold it gently.

This book about about life—as simple and as complex as that. Across 50 poems, Neelam explores the raw, real, and relatable experiences we all go through—love, silence, loss, hope, and everything in between. There’s no forced rhyme or heavy metaphor; instead, there’s clarity, honesty, and a quiet grace in every line. These aren’t poems you just read. These are poems you feel.

One of the poems that stayed with me long after I closed the book was “Silence.” It’s a masterpiece in stillness, reminding us that quiet isn’t the absence of sound, but the presence of deeper truths. In a world that constantly demands noise and attention, Neelam gives us permission to pause, reflect, and listen within. And then there’s that bittersweet piece about a daughter’s wedding—it’s tender, emotional, and heartbreakingly beautiful. As a parent, it made me tear up. You could feel the tug of pride and pain coexisting in the same breath.

It’s the simplicity. There’s no pretense, no need to impress. Neelam’s words are like clear water—they reflect everything honestly. She doesn’t complicate emotions; she distills them into lines that hit you straight in the heart. The language is accessible, yet profound. It’s perfect for seasoned poetry lovers and first-timers alike.

This book doesn’t shy away from exploring the big stuff—grief, resilience, inner peace, even the philosophical dance between destiny and free will. But it does it so gently that it never overwhelms you. Her poems on war and Ahimsa (non-violence) are especially poignant—quietly powerful, they stir you into contemplation without preaching. And then there’s her ode to Mother India, where patriotism meets personal emotion in the most graceful way.

Structurally, the brevity of the poems adds to their charm. You don’t need to spend hours deciphering them. Instead, you can read a piece, let it sit with you, and come back to it later—like a familiar tune that plays in your mind when you least expect it.

Some poems do feel slightly repetitive in theme, but honestly, each one brings a fresh lens. It’s like walking through the same garden every day and noticing something new each time. If anything, the emotional depth more than makes up for any overlap.

This book came to me at a time when I was craving stillness. It reminded me to slow down and breathe. It made me revisit moments I thought I’d forgotten—those quiet victories, those silent heartbreaks. “Sunshine,” for instance, with its metaphor of life and luck spread across the globe, made me smile. It reminded me that we always have the power to shift our position—to move closer to our own light.

Rhyming with Life isn’t just a poetry book. It’s a soft-spoken friend who listens more than it talks, who offers warmth, clarity, and perspective. If you’re someone who enjoys pausing in the middle of the chaos to reflect, or someone seeking comfort in words that truly get you, this book will feel like home.

I’d absolutely recommend it. Not just to poetry lovers—but to anyone navigating the beautifully chaotic rhythm of life.

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