Review of “Unheard” by Bhavini Bhargava

Score: 89/100 (8.9 out of 10)

Unheard is a spirited poetry collection by Bhavini Bhargava!

The collection of poems forms a heartfelt tapestry of introspection, societal critique, and the human experience. Each piece carries a unique emotional weight, tackling themes such as loss, regret, societal expectations, identity, and resilience.

The poem "Alive" opens with an uplifting reminder of self-worth and renewal, its brevity emphasizing its message of hope. The use of alliteration, as in “start a new chapter,” enhances the motivational tone. In contrast, "Was it all worth it?" delves into themes of regret and grief, employing rhyme (“dreams/redeem,” “business/witness”) to add rhythmic poignancy to its narrative of a life cut short. The rhetorical questioning throughout, such as “Is this a good deed, or just a task full of greed?” engages the reader emotionally while reflecting on unfulfilled dreams and the impact of loss.

The poetic devices across the collection, such as alliteration in "Isn't life sometimes really unbearable" (from Drowning), assonance in "Scars" (“Can’t I just spend my whole life staring at the stars?”), and personification in "Society’s Reality,” elevate the emotional depth of the pieces. For instance, "Hospitals have heard more genuine prayers than temples ever would" captures societal disillusionment through vivid imagery and juxtaposition. Similarly, "Stigma" critiques gender roles with a searing honesty, blending vivid imagery (“cars belong to boys and dolls to girls”) with metaphors (“their lives are in auctions with people placing bids”) to highlight the struggles of women.

In "A Dream or a Sign?" the speaker confronts their younger self, creating a reflective dialogue that combines sagacity with regret. The interplay of time and identity is central here, as the poem masterfully juxtaposes past innocence with present discontent. The theme of inner conflict is also palpable in "Static Soul", where the speaker wrestles with existential doubts and the search for purpose. The rhyme in lines like "Am I going in the right direction, or is everything just an illusion?" mirrors the cyclical nature of these uncertainties, while the rhetorical question amplifies the speaker’s inner turmoil.

Several poems embrace vulnerability as a strength. In "Steps", the poet reflects on connections and sacrifices, using metaphors like “holding people’s hands when they slip off like sand” to express fragility in relationships. "This Year" chronicles personal transformation through pain, determination, and growth, with the repetition of "This year" serving as a powerful refrain that reinforces the impact of pivotal moments. Similarly, "Reminder" employs imagery of shifting seasons and slipping sand (“Sand slipping from my hands”) to depict fleeting time and unfulfilled dreams, creating a sense of urgency.

The final poem, "Final Judgment" acts as a climactic reflection on mortality, fear, and courage. The imagery of a trembling earth and fiery skies paints an apocalyptic backdrop for self-realization. Lines like "Sound of the blaring thunder blasting my ears, looking at the misty sky, I can see all my fears" create a powerful auditory and visual experience. The tone shifts from trepidation to triumph as the speaker embraces life’s challenges with newfound clarity, echoing themes of redemption and resilience.

"Today, I Shall Live" celebrates the urgency of living in the present, with anaphora emphasizing the fleeting nature of time. "Crystals" transforms rain into a metaphor for emotional cleansing, its vivid imagery capturing a soothing renewal. "Last Days" portrays the narrator’s acceptance of mortality, using contrast and symbolism to highlight the evolution from despair to peace. The wistful "Maybe Next Time" delves into missed opportunities and unspoken love, with delicate imagery of falling petals signifying the transience of meaningful moments.

The collection also explores the dynamics of relationships, from the unraveling of affection in "You and I" to the suffocating toxicity of "Us." The latter uses metaphors (“ropes tightened around me”) and alliteration (“half-dead to survive”) to depict the struggles of breaking free, juxtaposing despair with liberation. In contrast, "Beside You" offers a tender portrayal of intimacy and shared joy, while "Your Moonlit Beauty" elevates admiration to a celestial level, its metaphors (“radiance piercing your hair like sunlight”) and hyperbolic expressions (“all can die for that smile”) painting an ethereal picture.

The newly added poems amplify these themes, addressing broader societal and existential concerns. "Alive" serves as a powerful opener, reminding readers of the daily opportunity to start anew. "Was it all worth it?" questions the impact of unfulfilled dreams, employing a tight rhyme scheme and rhetorical questions to deepen its contemplative tone. "Static Soul" and "A Dream or a Sign?" wrestle with purpose and identity, their conversational rhythms capturing the universal quest for meaning. Meanwhile, "Society’s Reality" offers a striking critique of societal norms, juxtaposing sacred spaces like hospitals and temples to evoke a sense of disillusionment.

Poems like "Stigma" address societal issues head-on, highlighting gender roles and discrimination through vivid imagery and biting commentary. In "Journey" and "Steps," the poet reflects on personal growth and resilience, blending relatable doubts with uplifting resolutions. "This Year" chronicles transformation through pain and perseverance, its repetition of "This year" reinforcing the impact of pivotal moments. Finally, "Final Judgment" ends the collection with an apocalyptic yet triumphant tone, where fears dissolve into self-realization.

Across the collection, the poet’s mastery of meter varies to suit the themes—short, punchy lines convey urgency, while longer, flowing verses allow for contemplative depth. The interplay of rhyme and free verse ensures a dynamic reading experience. Themes of regret, societal expectations, and personal growth remain prevalent, connecting the poems into a cohesive narrative of human resilience. By intertwining personal reflections with broader societal critiques, the poet creates a collection that feels both intimate and universal.

The biggest weakness of this book is that it lacks variety in terms of rhyme-scheme and stanza structure. Practically every poem in this collection employs a basic AA/BB/CC/DD, etc. rhyme scheme. Nearly every poem in this collection is written in couplets. There never seems to be a respite from this formula, and it becomes jading and tiresome after a while.

The biggest and only major counterexample of this is the poem “I will make that decision today” which is written in one-line stanzas. “I will make that decision today” is also unique in that—instead of utilizing the aforementioned rhyme scheme—focuses on the assonance in the “I” sound with words like life, prime, thrive, and knife, which was nice and refreshing.

One more weakness of this entry is the file itself. Instead of being printed, searchable text, it is seemingly scanned from a hard-copy of the book, sometimes in lower-quality than we'd prefer. The worst example of this is actually the back-cover, which is blurry and pixelated. Each page is essentially an image. This made it harder to search for individual passages using the CTRL+F feature. So, we had to try to remember where certain passages were, which wasn't convenient in the slightest.

However, at least the text in the poems themselves is legible.

In sum, this collection is a masterful blend of poetic techniques and emotional depth. Whether exploring the joys of love, the sting of regret, or the resilience required to navigate life’s challenges, the poet crafts a work that resonates on multiple levels. Each poem invites readers to reflect, connect, and find solace in shared humanity, making this collection a timeless and impactful read.

Check it out on Amazon!