‘Dear God’, a collection of 58 poems by Neitele Mero was formally released by Rev Dr Neingupe Chiero, Senior Pastor, PTBC at Pfütsero on August 6.
Phek, August 6 (MExN): ‘Dear God’, a collection of 58 poems by Neitele Mero was formally released on Friday evening by Rev Dr Neingupe Chiero, Senior Pastor, PTBC at the Chapel Hall, Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero.
Neitele Mero, who has been writing since she was fifteen expressed during the launch that “writing has always been a cathartic experience for me. I find solace in unloading my aches and dwelling on my joys by writing imaginary letters to my Diary, to self, to others, and above all, to God.”
She said the poems in the book are extracts from the pages of her diary written over a decade. Highlighting that “a few, especially the first ones, are as old as 2006, and a few others as recent as 2020”, she expressed that “it is my prayer that the book will give healing, pleasure, peace, and joy to the readers.”
Neitele Mero currently teaches at Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero and loves nature, gardening, and tinkering. She has a master’s degree in English Literature from Nagaland University and Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS) from Senate of Serampore College/University.
Releasing the book, Rev Dr Neingupe Chiero, Senior Pastor, PTBC commented that the book contains simple and beautiful lines that cover a lot of profound thoughts. He said that “Dear God” will give a glimpse of the poet while congratulating Neitele Mero on her debut book.
In her publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha noted that everywhere across the world, ‘poetry does not sell’ is a common phrase but said that “that has never stopped us from publishing poetry collections.” Recalling that the first imprint of PenThrill was also a poetry collection, she said, “looking at the interest among rising poets in the state, judging from the number of poetry manuscripts we receive, I believe poetry is here to stay with us.”
Poetry, she pointed out is an integral part of the Naga life wherein there has always been a strong element of lyrical expressions and our forefathers sang for almost every occasion whether it is farming, celebrating a traditional festival, birth or death.
In writing poetry, she emphasized that, “we are also carrying forward the beautiful legacy of storytelling that brewed in old Naga traditional homes, where many of our folktales, folksongs and stories of our rich culture and tradition have been passed on, from generations to generations.”
Dr Eyingbeni Humtsoe-Nienu, Principal, Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero remarked in her review that “Dear God” contains Christian faith infused with poems that spring from a place of joy that only a convicted self can perceive. An understanding of God’s forgiveness and love, apparent in almost every poem, are themes that will inspire and encourage readers to embrace and live out the same message.
In some ways, she observed that “the style of the poems may be seen also as prayers that can be said without hesitation because of the genuineness of the belief that gave rise to the words. In that sense, these poetic prayers cab be used for personal and community devotional time. They can also be read for developing deeper connection with God.
Most of all, the book can be treated as source for understanding one’s true worth in God and how one might live one’s life in the knowledge of that.”
It may be noted that ‘Dear God’ is the 40th publication of PenThrill Publication House. Highlights of the programme included invocation by Dr Vekutulu L Veyie, Vice Principal, BTC, message in song by Ari, Aku and Akhro and benediction by Neingupe-ü Rhakho, Women Secretary, CBCC. The programme was chaired by Neiwalou Lohe, Assistant Professor, BTC.
