Pravin discloses that his new anthology of poems commemorates his second year in pediatric residency at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore. If one can imagine being witness to the final hours of a child’s life, the suffering and grief that comes with that mortal end, one can understand the nature of Pravin’s work. He is all too familiar with the experience of heartache in the final moments of a young patient in palliative care. It requires an unusual level of mental and physical strength to confront the high emotions that come with this field. Naturally, one finds a way to deal with this heavy toll, and Pravin’s poetry is his emotional release.

The poem “Glory” recounts a mother’s prayers during the final hours of her child’s life. “Letting Go” speaks of a parent’s pain in letting their little one depart from this earthly world. “Can You Hear” ponders if a child in the afterlife sees and hears those left behind. “Dear Teddy” laments a child’s passing and the peaceful memory left by a favorite toy. “Little Coffin” imparts the tragic imagery of the too small reminder of what is lost. And “Real Life Superhuman” pays tribute to the children battling illnesses every day.

This sequel to Do They Have Telephones Up in Heaven? is a raw, painful examination of humanity. It is the result of Pravin’s dedication to the medical profession and to his writing, which is inspired by the lives and deaths of his patients and their loved ones. Through his words, he offers a firsthand glimpse into the heart-wrenching world of the intensive care unit. Accompanying each poem is a brief description that details the story behind the poem, a feature as equally compelling as the poem itself. The author’s collection is a lyrical, beautiful, and haunting read.

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