Does one need to be a poet to appreciate poetry? To look beyond the words and truly feel the emotions they carry? Reading Between the Shadow and the Soul by Sonal Singh reminded me that beauty in verse knows no barriers. You don’t need to write sonnets, or even string together four lyrical lines, to savour poetry — you only need to open yourself to it. I am no poet, and yet I cherished every verse of this collection, as if the words had been written for me.
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Sonal’s works, having read many of her short stories, poems, and her debut poetry collection, Islands in the Stream. Her first book was a celebration of nature and life. But in Between the Shadow and the Soul, she turns her gaze inward — towards love that warms, life that tests, and loss that transforms. Her voice is both delicate and powerful, like a soft exhale that somehow leaves you breathless.
The book is divided into three sections — love, life, and loss — and together they form a mirror to the many emotions we often suppress, yet always carry within.
The first section, devoted to love, is evocative and sensuous. Poems like First Love and The Language of Our Love don’t just speak of affection — they make you feel it seep through your skin, linger in your breath, and settle deep in your heart. These verses glow with tenderness and passion, capturing both the intoxication of desire and the quiet comfort of companionship.
The second section, on life, resonated with me in a quieter but equally profound way. The Weight of Words and Retiring from Life reminded me how fragile and precious our days really are. Erosion stood out for how simply and beautifully it captured change — the way time shapes us, wears us down, and yet leaves behind something enduring. These poems nudged me to pause, to reflect, and sometimes even to sigh in recognition.
And then comes loss, the final section, where the verses are quiet but piercing, tender yet devastating. If You Forget Me and The Sound of Quiet carried the ache of absence that made my throat tighten as I read. They reminded me of grief’s ability to hollow us out, but also of the strange strength it leaves behind.
The poems in this collection are not dramatic; rather, each piece is understated and reflective. And that, in my opinion, is its true strength: it doesn’t demand; it simply invites. These poems are intimately conversational, like a trusted friend whispering truths in the quiet of the night.
This is not just a collection of poems. It is an emotional journey, a reminder of how poetry can slip past our defences and speak to our rawest, most unguarded selves. For me, Between the Shadow and the Soul is not merely to be read — it is to be felt, savoured, and returned to, again and again.
Wordsopedia Rating 4.5/5
This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
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