Poetry is a way of holding mirror to life: Educationist Desh Bir Sharma

“Poetry, for me, is a way of holding a mirror to life – its struggles, its ironies, its silent aches,” says an educationist and retired Principal of Government College, Hoshiarpur, Desh Bir Sharma, speaking about his newly released poetry collection Eluding Rainbows.

This is Sharma’s second anthology, following Petals n Pebbles, published in September 2024, which marked his debut into English poetry. With Eluding Rainbows, he believes he has discovered “a new tone, tenor and stance” that reflects contemporary realities.

The poems, he explains, are not meant to romanticise life, but to capture it in its raw, unvarnished form. “There is apathy all around, systems often fail us and societal aberrations continue to jolt sensitive souls. Yet, I believe there is always a redeeming thread of hope that connects us all,” he says.

The collection explores diverse themes, ranging from digital alienation and distorted politics to gender inequalities and philosophical musings on life. Sharma is deeply disturbed by what he calls the global enactment of Animal Farm in politics today. “It is painful to see how power twists ideals, but poetry gives me a way to question and resist,” he adds.

A recurring theme in the collection is the disadvantaged position of women. “Whether she is a Sarpanch, a house-help, or a countryside mother, the woman continues to bear the burden of discrimination,” Sharma states. Poems like Panchayat, Me, My Plight and Indian Countryside Woman directly address this issue, giving voice to women’s resilience and struggles.

At the same time, several poems in the collection carry a philosophical undertone. Works like My Essence, The Thread of Life, and Nature’s Will delve into the mysteries of human existence without sinking into despair. Rather, they raise crucial questions and invite readers to reflect on the meaning of life, destiny, and human helplessness.

Written in a lucid style, free from heavy allusions or jargon, Eluding Rainbows speaks directly to the “everyman and everywoman.” With its kaleidoscopic view of society – sometimes shimmering, sometimes shadowed – Sharma’s latest work adds a refreshing voice to English poetry from Punjab.

In his foreword, celebrated author Dr J.S. Anand describes Sharma’s work as poetry that “chastens and subdues.” He notes that the poet challenges materialism and ambition, holding firm to the belief that “things are not lost forever – the rainbow may be eluding, but it surely exists.”