“How do you define a mother, I wonder? By the number of kicks you’ve given her in her womb and every time she smiled, or by the number of bites on her swollen nipples yet she happily fed you and never cried.” (Excerpt from book)

“Priceless Pearls” by veteran writer, Gitanjali Kapoor, popular by the pen name, ‘Laughing_Soul’ is a poetry book with a theme of love for a mother. Through 21 literary pieces, the poetess paints the facades of love she feels for her mother. Her poignant writing style adds to the empathy and relatability. Various poetry forms like versus, unmetered poems to Haiku poetry makes it a learner’s delight. In some of the poems like “The Golden Sunset”, the prim use of simile and metaphors brings forth Geetanjali’s outstanding skill to blend vividity with inner emotions. Besides the theme of love for mother, the book shares subtle hues of the writer’s journey along with the challenges and conflicts every woman undergoes in life. The poetries beautifully depict the vulnerable yet strong, ordinary yet exceptional sides of a mother. Although the book is a dedication of the poetess to her mother, it offers a universal appeal. My personal favourite is the poem, “My Treasure Trove”, as the lines, “My poems are nothing but messages from above” resonates with my writer’s heart. Besides the soulful poems, some impactful verses inspire and offer much to ponder upon.

All in all, Gitanjali, the inventor of the poetry form, “Mirror Alphoppbet” after 3 phenomenal books, yet again adds a masterpiece, “Priceless Pearls” in the showcase of the literary world.