Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Life is full of minimalist moments. In nature, society, and the world around us, these moments reflect our sense of being, who we are, how resilient we are, and how we observe and introspect. When one really thinks about it, does life have a shape? And, if so, how does one define this shape? In Sabyasachi Das’s The Cogs of Life, life is mechanical, medicinal, and full of perspectives. There’s the cuckoo clock that reliably speaks its mind with a simple “cuckoo” every day, at the same time. Then there’s the ardent firefly that carries the light for the flower, the friend, who fears the dark. There are thoughts on prejudice and what it does to everyone in the world. Simple words convey powerful, in-depth meaning.

Sabyasachi Das’s book, The Cogs of Life, challenges one’s perspective on life. Using the simplest, minimalistic forms of poetry, the cogs circulate the powerful thoughts of being. Rhyming verse is used sparingly, but effectively. There are even poems that play with alliteration: “The tea tamed thirst/ Timeless, true/ Tempering tradition,/ Tranquil too.” There is a rhythm to these words that lends musicality, making the words and the thoughts they reflect more memorable. The words are used sparingly, expressing the true power of minimalist art. As the poet seeks to understand what shapes life, we follow the themes presented: themes of nature, society, identity, and so much more. This collection of poems will challenge deeper thought and prompt reflection on moments we might have missed if we allowed them to pass unnoticed. These poems present thoughts of what defines us each as individuals in a complex world.