SentilongOzukum
At just sixteen years of age, budding poet Alina Aier has achieved what most aspiring writers can only dream of-publishing a book. Her debut poetry collection "The Play" published by Penthrill Publications announces the arrival of a precocious and sensitive poetic voice that belies her youth. This is a star in the making.
Consisting of over 40 poems, "The Play" navigates the reader through the inner world of a young woman making sense of growing up's pains and wonders. Aier's writing displays emotional maturity beyond her years as she explores evergreen themes of childhood, dreams, nature, loneliness and disillusionment.
The gems in this collection are poems where Aier taps into elementary human experiences through inventive imagery and an innate lyrical expression. Be it the innocent fantasy of "If I Were A Fairy," the heart-tugging loss in "Never Grow, Never Grow," or the quiet resignation captured in "Caged," Aier finds resonant and affecting ways to give voice to universal human truths.
The greatest triumph here is that Aier's writing feels so raw, unaffected and honest. She eschews lofty literary pretensions for simplicity of language and expression. Her free-flowing verse reads like pages from a young woman's diary where she tries to makes sense of the world around her.
No doubt as Aier journeys more into life experience, the sophistication of her writing will grow. But for now there is joy in witnessing a nascent poetic talent explore the first sparks of creativity through this refreshing collection. If the unaffected genius on display here in "The Play" is any indication, a career as an accomplished poet likely lies ahead for this teenage literary star-in-the-making.
Much credit also goes to publisher Rita Krocha and Penthrill Publications for giving wings to the dreams of so many budding writers like Aier from Nagaland. As a conscience keeper of society, Rita Krocha is contributing immensely to the literary landscape in Nagaland by providing a platform for fresh voices to spread their wings. Penthrill Publications is emerging as an incubator for local narrative talents as well as a channel for stories from Northeast India to reach wider audiences.
