In her latest poetry book, Nanaimo’s poet laureate asks readers to “stay awhile and just look around.”
Just Passing By, Kamal Parmar’s sixth poetry collection, released on Oct. 13, “takes the reader on roads often not taken” through an appreciation of nature.
“It’s been a process because, as the title depicts, I am a nature lover and a nature poet … Whenever I go out for a walk or a hike, I try to see the beauty of nature in my own way,” the author said. “Each one of us is a poet in one’s own way – in the way we look at the world and the way we look within ourselves. And humanity, I feel, has an innate connection with nature – it co-ordinates our lives in so many different ways … Poetry is intimately linked with nature – unravelling subtle mysteries and majestic beauty.”
In her book, as the title suggests, Parmar’s intent is to ask readers to slow down, since “we always find ourselves in a hurry.”
“Life has become such a big chaotic mess with technology thrown in and all these climate changes … We need to tune into ourselves,” she said. “Stand, stop, and just feel and listen to the sounds of nature … It connects with our inner stillness … and, of course, nature heals.”
She said the title was also influenced, in part, by Robert Frost’s poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.
“‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep’… That resonated with me and it just came to mind as ‘passing by.’”
The poet laureate said she doesn’t have a specific place she draws inspiration from, as Nanaimo “has beauty all around it,” but does favour Nanaimo River, Mt. Benson and anywhere she can enjoy a sunset.
The book is a collection of approximately 50 poems and a product of eight months of work. Parmar said she will keep and collect her musings for months at a time, and with every excursion, add more to the stack.
“I like to sit on them. I like to add more and get to the actual essence of what I’m writing,” she said.
Just Passing By is available at local retailers such as WindowSeat Books and at Literacy Central Vancouver Island’s Well Read Books. It can be purchased internationally through the publisher’s website www.silverbowpublishing.com.
READ MORE: Nanaimo poet laureate releases new poetry book
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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