By Professor Jungmayangla Longkumer
Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus
First of all congratulations to Tialila for this awesome milestone of launching two books of poetry and each are stand-alone creative master pieces. This is her 6th and 7th poetry book respectively, and the first time she is launching in public.
It is with immense joy, pride and privilege that I stand here today to give a little review of the two books entitled respectively, “My Haiku Heart” and “Lemons and Sunflowers and all things Yellow”.
A haiku is a short, unrhymed poem. The structure of a haiku in English typically follows a three-line, 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
They originated in Japan and are now written in many languages worldwide.
Haiku traditionally focus on nature and the seasons, but modern versions explore a wide range of topics.
To write Haiku poems one actually requires great skill to bring out the structure, emotion and play of words encapsulated in 3 lines within 17 syllables.
“My Haiku Heart” by Tialila Kikon effectively does all that.
Tialila Kikon’s, My Haiku Heart, is divided into three sections ~ on earth we live once, ~ finding fireflies and ~ and life…and all sections has 33 haiku each, thus making a total of 99 haikus.
1. The first section On earth we live once, tells of the transient nature of life which is showcased in this haiku:
briefly we are here
sojourners on a dying earth
living and hoping
Poetry connects us with what is most essential in life and it should be cherished; and the beauty of it all is that we can freely interpret it and take comfort from our interpretations:
cheerful little brook
love letter from the mountains
we are one big sea
Poetry has the power to transmute reality into something rich and meaningful:
we are all broken
poetically beautiful
aren’t we all stars
2. The second section finding fireflies wafts us through forests and clouds and it is almost like we can hear the birds chirp, feel the breeze on our face and watch the fireflies while sunlight filters through the leaves of trees creating the interplay of light and dancing shadows:
starlit eyes dreaming
fresh sunlight paints the morning
a new world takes flight
There is a quiet softness that tugs the heart strings and the stillness of a mind that remains grateful
another sunrise
another dawn i have met
today i will live
3. Section 3 is aptly named …and life and yes the painful reality we must all face of challenges, betrayal and hypocrisy as this haiku states
a pious facade
preaching truth and hiding lies
fake piety display
The deepest wound ever felt resounds in this haiku
in my lowest place
my friend, i thought you’d be there
great ironic world
Yet also the strength to forget if not to forgive is reflected
we’re trees and rivers
hills and mountains and valleys
we only forget
Throughout the 99 haikus runs a unifying thread that highlights the value of living a rich, compassionate, and graceful life—one in which forgiveness is possible and joy emerges from both our vulnerabilities and our strengths. Its message is clear: live meaningfully and cherish every moment, because our time on earth is brief.
As Ernest Hemingway noted, "big emotions do not need big words" and Tialila shows us how through these haikus.
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Second poetry book: I was told by Tiali to make it short and to the point, so obediently I’ve had to trim the review and NOT wax lyrical or write purple prose.
“Lemons and Sunflowers and all things Yellow”.
All my favourite things are in the title of this poetry book by Tialila Kikon. This book comprises of 60 poems and interestingly the titles are at the bottom of the poem and not at the beginning.
The first poem ~I am a sinking boat, is very telling because the poem ends with
dear poetry
teach me how to swim.
Poetry is not just an outlet of emotions but it is the anchor for our sanity.
Tialila’s poems are many layered and her poetry book is an invitation into her world as she moves through the quiet gaps between life’s chaos and uncertainty, seeking out the calm and beauty hidden in everyday moments that are often overlooked. The core power of poetry is to preserve and share the sensory experiences as words come to life. “Lemons and Sunflowers and all things Yellow” stirs the senses, move our emotions and takes us into the poet’s world and also helps us see our own in a new way.
Poetry can help us through the darkness of times and in this poetry book, themes of endurance, survival, and the shaping—or unravelling—of identity emerge as the poet steers us through intricate terrains of absence, memory, and selfhood.
Across her poetry, nature takes centre stage, revealing a profound and reflective bond between human life and the natural world, while emphasizing themes of healing, growth, and the continuous cycle of existence.
This collection reminds us that even in fleeting moments, there is depth, beauty, and meaning waiting to be noticed. When you get hold of these books take your time reading it and allow its quiet voice to unfold in its own way.
I love the last poem in this book because it ends on a note of hope and also of finding ourselves and it is entitled ~ one last poem and I will read it in full.
~ one last poem
one last poem
some day i hope to find
within my deep
wistful ache
of timeless yesterdays
and tomorrows
one last poem
deep within us
a buried sorrow, a dream
a spring, a today
always waiting to arrive
within us all
one last poem
that will bear the grief
of all our loving
one last poem
that will carry the weight
of all our living
one last poem
may we all find, soon.
Tialila Kikon’s poetry reminds us of the power of words, and gives us poetry that we can return to again and again.
Her poetry will resonate with readers; touch their hearts, and offer inspiration and insight that will leave a lasting impact.
God bless you and may you keep on writing and enriching our world with the beauty and wisdom of your poetry.
Thank you.
As delivered during the launch of "Lemons and Sunflowers and all things yellow" and "My Haiku Heart" written by Tialila Kikon on April 4 at Tia Ki Nagaland Art Space Dimapur.
