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For poets who relish discussions on philosophy and the unknown, these poems are golden. Rabii admits his writing defies conventional constraints and that he is primarily following the instructions of his heart.
From the get go, Rabii captures the reader’s attention. For some, the conversation of creating change in “The Witness” is appealing, while for others, the image of “holding love in a knitted white blanket,” in “Redemption,” is simply irresistible. The poet’s grasp of language is evident as is his ability to inject thoughtful observations on inequity. He is also able to mask the poem’s message through personification and metaphor is exceptional. For starters, “Superhero” is a tantalizing display of how even the mighty can fall to love’s “unmarked bullet of improbability.” Perhaps the most relevant poem to current times, “What Are You Waiting for, America?” is a showcase of all the world’s women who rule democracies. In “Holding Hands” Rabii tackles another sensitive topic: gay rights and marriage. In a series of questions, he tears apart society’s underlying fear and respectfully stomps it under his feet. Poems like “An Open Poem to God,” and “A Family Affair” dig deep into human psychology. The core message is simple: good and evil can both be traced to the minds of human beings.
On first glance, Rabii’s compilation appears to be a discourse on dense topics better suited for academia. From the first poem on the heavy subject matter is clearly there; however, few can simplify these discussions for the layman as can Rabii. Throughout the poems Rabii’s ability to dive into controversy with grace and wit makes this collection a must-read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review