LINGERING TWILIGHT

A PANORAMA OF POEMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS

POEMS-ANANYA DAS

PHOTOS-ARUNANGSHU DAS

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the dreamer*

I once told a friend of mine

that I was one of the children

who had followed

the Pied Piper of Hamlyn

into the cave to be

shut for eternity.

My friend, a child as I

was then, believed me,

though I couldn't explain

just now I had managed

to escape, my imagination

did not travel that far, not then.

Now I scale the lofty heights

of the Pyramids of Egypt

and look down from the

leaning tower of Pisa

even while slaying mighty

Goliaths and fiery dragons.

I receive medalions for

outrageous acts of courage,

daringly performed everyday.

I pluck the orchids from

the rain forests and

lend their colours to

the arid winds of the deserts.

As one day merges

into the other

I live

I feel

I dream.

*Award Winner-Wild Onions

Things To Do

new york : 1997*

I look for a friend

in the city of sky-rises.

An indifferent sun pours its glare

on the chrome and glass windows

A sea of strangers pass by

heels clicking against the metalled pavements,

Lovers strike an embrace on the sidewalk

oblivious to the knowing glances

Skirts rising high above the thighs

the painted eyes on the painted faces.

Unknown smells, unknown colours

Unknown the mouthing of platitudes

Neon-signs blinking

against the bright city lights.

I found a friend

in the lonely moon

traipsing across the sky.

* Published in "The Asian Age"

Without words

Let’s not make too much of the words,

Let’s not take the words too much to the heart.

We have been paying lip service for years,

mouthing platitudes we do not mean.

Too much has already been said-

in anguish, in anger, in bitterness…

Let the strains of music now be our words

as we raise our hands in silent communication.

Welcome to THE LINGERING TWILIGHT ZONE!

This is a book of poetry and a collection of photographs. This book is a tribute to those who like to find happiness in every; small good thing in life and nature and share it with everyone they encounter during their travel through life. This book wants to show respect to all those people in this world who have made life on this planet better and happier. The authors did not intend to express any special meaning through their poetry and photography. If the tune of any poem resonates the subject of any photograph it is just coincidence. The authors just want you to enjoy their works.

This book contains wonderful photographs in color and poems of great depth and variety. The layout and production quality of the book belongs to the highest category. The book has been receiving good reviews ever since its release at the International Poetry Festival at Kolkata, India in January 2007. Here are some -

There is a simple, lovely eastern simplicity to both the words and the photographs here. The poems feel nearly haiku –like in their spareness and their attention to the natural world and the photographs use various interesting angles and perspectives in ways that render something fresh even to a tree-branch as it webs against the sky. The affection and collaboration comes through in the book’s complete harmony in picture , in word. I loved the strangest images like that lumpy moon! -Writer's Digest, USA

"Sensitive ....evocative"- Dr. Richard Marshall, General Director, Center for Contemporary Opera, USA.

“Spread across every page of this book are carefully taken photographs from all over the world by Arunangshu Das. Accompanying those photographs Ananya Das has presented a collection of deep meaningful poems. The cover page alone captures the reader’s attention. The subjects of the poems are full of variety.” –Boi-er Desh (The World of Books) Kolkata, India, a prestigious publication which reviews only the very best of books.

"Rarely do you find such an enchanting duet of poetry and photography"- KabiSammelan, June 2007 issue.

“I liked the poems a lot. Arunangshu’s photographs are as beautiful as the poems.” Nirmalendu Gun, Noted Poet from Bangladesh.

“The poems as well as the photographs, no doubt deserve praise. The production of the book is also wonderful.” Buddhadev Guha, Noted writer and Novelist from India.

“Thoroughly enjoyed reading the exuberant feelings percolated through carefully chosen words and made doubly effective with Arunangshu's images.” Ashok K. Das, Renowned Historian and Ex-Director Sawai Mansingh II City Palace Museum, Jaipur, India.

“The photographs and the reflective poems are so attuned to each other they dually invite the reader and beholder to a different space.” Priyaa Ghosh, University Gold Medalist, B. A., Comparative Literature.

“I am charmed not only by the excellent poems and the matching beautiful pictures but also with the sheer elegance of the book.” Asim Kumar Basu, Ex-Director, Geological Survey of India.

About the Authors: Ananya Das, the author, completed her education in Journalism (B.A.), teaching (B.Ed.) and Science (M.S.). She has had numerous works of hers published. A lot of her works have been awarded in India as well as in the US. Arunangshu Das, the photographer, completed his education in Science (Ph.D.). They are a married couple presently settled in Hummelstown/Hershey, Pennsylvania, and engaged in academic professions. They like to travel and enjoy the immensely diverse beauty and vastness of nature.