Amani

Reviewed by Rochak Agarwal

Amani, an aesthetic poetic collection by Raïs Neza Boneza, conceals poems seasoned with beautiful glimpses of scenic views, nature sounds, and earthly elements. The tone found in the poems is soothing, gentle and a perfect fit to style the poetry in its accordance. And intimate, drawing the reader into his poetic world. The poet shares with the reader the fruit of his soul, his poems alive; their meanings unambiguous.

The book begins with a spectacular scene in “Longing”, entailing the beauty of the ray of sun which is fading incessantly downhill, peace of the amiable elements above the basin, and the marvelous decorated lake. Poet’s visions are absolutely entrancing and the flow which the poem captures is phenomenal.

“Above the surface of the basin,

the elements are calm and amiable

lost in the gardens of my imagination

and while on the horizon,

the ray of the sun is slowly fading incessantly downhill.

From my balcony,

I marvel at the august somber and decorated lake.

Soon the swirling shadow of the hills will merge into the sky

and the evocative songs of the fishermen

will devour the monotonous melody of nightingales.”

In Amani, my peace, the poet explores the power of various things which doesn’t seem to be. As we all know a raindrop is soft yet so steady that it can dissolve a whole mountain top, the sun rays are light but have the power to make anything alive, a smile can break the strongest fortress into small fragments or can make a day by giving the peace of mind to the one. The poem at some points wonders the reader and warms the heart.

No doubt, the book promotes the message of peace and harmony, and the very essence of it can be felt in every blotted word. Poems take the central idea from the title of the book, Amani, which means peace in Swahili. The pleasing imagery in all the poems is a powerful element of the book as it soothes the reader’s mind and takes the reader into the poet’s poetic world. A must-read for the peace lovers!