Keki N Daruwalla's poem 'A takeoff on a passing remark'

 Keki N Daruwalla's poem 'A takeoff on a passing remark'

I request the readers to read the poem from the above link first and then only my review. Thanks.

Does a multilayered poem of depth and subtle message left unsaid, need a title at all? No will be the right answer. When every word of the poem speaks for itself taking the reader along into an abstract world, where a tug of war between the illusion and reality is never ending, the title is superfluous and a distraction. A creative and gifted poet hence uses the title to further the content of the main poem. In fact, both stanzas of this poem convey more about the illusion in a relationship and the vacuum felt, when the hype and fantasy is removed from celebrating one, than the actual standing of a man and woman in relationship.

Daruwalla has used the title to give a lead for the context in which the male in relationship responds to a female. The remark of the female lacks depth, nevertheless makes the male to ponder. He agrees that he is in no way closer to the issues of the real world, nor in a quest for truth. Fantastic untruth is fine for him. In short that fantasy is all about love. That's what the partner is looking for too. Figuratively he qualifies the question of the partner as a passing one, like a young squirrel, twilight or shadow at noon. None of the figures the poet has chosen can be observed for that long a time needed to deeply ponder and internalize something worthy, because all the three will vanish in no time from the sight.

The poem has actually left unsaid the philosophical question 'What is illusion (Maya) and what is the truth (Sathya)? Relationships in the materialistic world thrive on illusion. If you have a quest to go beyond illusion you can never find an ecstasy or anything romantic or comfortable in a relationship. The strength of a modern poem lies in what is left unsaid and this poem is a model.