Indie poetry review<\/p>\n

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Of Neem, Nidus, and Olive: A Life<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Dr. Amanullah Khan<\/strong><\/a> is a book to savor. The author, who has a strong narrative voice, is a hematologist\/oncologist in McKinney, Texas, president of Cancer Center Associates, and past president of the Poetry Society of Texas. This book will appeal to readers with a global view, who appreciate the complexities of life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Agha Nisar Ali Khan illustrates each poem in rich colors; details add imagery. On many pages, soulful eyes watch as the reader enters the text. The symbiotic relationship between the work of the writer and artist is felt; each page turned opens a new door. Many metaphors are visual, with illustrations of black branches appearing as veins of a living organism, fitting for a poet who is also a doctor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Part 1, \u201cOf Neem,\u201d <\/em>sets the introspective tone for Dr. Khan\u2019s poetry memoir with \u201cWhy Ask for More\u201d:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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We lived within our means.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Paths paved with naked stones<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ripped the old shoes we wore,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But we slept the deepest sleep. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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In \u201cBallad of Neem Tree,\u201d he adds:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I remember the soothing shade<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And refuge of the foliage<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Where summertime whispers stayed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Most of the book is serious and reflective, but it has moments of humor. <\/em>\u201cVagaries of Customs\u201d <\/em>highlights a misunderstanding at a gas station. \u201cPerils of Passion\u201d and \u201cBlissful Years\u201d include funny stories about aging lovers. The author ends this section \u201clooking for the lost tree\u201d among his mango-sweet memories.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Here the organization of the book takes an unexpected turn, the author sandwiching part 2, \u201cOf Nidus,\u201d <\/em>between two others named for trees. <\/em>The writer defines nidus<\/em> as a place of infection or a situation in which something develops, not an obvious fit for topics which include the \u201cquagmire\u201d of relationships, natural devastations like volcanoes and hurricanes, the difficulty of telling a young woman she has leukemia, doubt in the face of suffering, and the tragedy of zealots \u201cincinerating\u201d young lives and faith. \u201cFake Banana\u201d explores man\u2019s willingness to believe lies and recruit others to follow. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Apple, though, remains apple,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

despite being perceived as a banana. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Section 3, \u201cOf Olive,\u201d introduces the tree as a symbol of sacredness, peace, and unity. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Warring tribes forgot their common roots, but<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All can grow again in transcendent sun <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to sprout again and bear a fresh fruit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The structure of Khans\u2019s poems is eclectic. Some rhyme in an ABAB pattern; others are free verse. \u201cView from the Moon\u201d is a villanelle, a form of fixed free verse with an intricate pattern of the repeated lines.<\/em> Dr. Khan focuses on the ephemeral nature of time and memory, a reconciliation of what was and what is with what might be. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Of Neem, Nidus, and Olive: A Life<\/em> is narrative poetry, a memoir that invites the reader to imagine life through the combined vision of the writer and the illustrator, images to discover and rediscover with each reading. As Dr. Khan says in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, \u201cTo rein my pen is to muzzle my soul.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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