Official Review: Short Poems, Long Tales by Rashid Osmani

[Becca Olsson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Short Poems, Long Tales" by Rashid Osmani.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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In Short Poems, Long Tales, Rashid Osmani provides the audience with 101 poems written on a multitude of topics. As the title suggests, each poem is quite short. Most are less than one page and the longest spills over just barely onto a second page. Despite their short length, they also live up to the “long tales” portion of the title. Each poem has much more depth than the short lengths would suggest. The topics are extremely varied, as well, and touch upon nearly every existential idea. These range from gender to religion to death, broken families, and life passing by.

In the preface, Osmani points out how difficult it is to rate a book of poetry, blaming it on the way humans have been created. Our feelings get in the way. They will be charged during one poem, but then left disappointed with the next. I feel this is a great way to preface this review, as well. I admit to genuinely enjoying one poem while finding the next to be wanting.

I see this as a good thing; I believe there is something for everyone within Osmani’s works. In each one I could feel the author’s frustration or anger or contentment. For readers looking for something on the sweeter side, I recommend “Toy Contentment”. However, for those wanting a poem to match their sorrowful mood, I suggest “No Invitation”. Personally, I resonated with the poem “Older” where the author writes “When younger/I didn’t know I’d get older” (pg. 48).

Osmani writes with an interesting style. The poetry does not rhyme and the varying lengths of each line give an interesting flow to the words, even as I read them in my head. There is a sense of dark and dry humor used throughout, which, I believe, adds to the intriguing nature of some of the works that left me wondering how I had never thought of that perspective.

I found no real negative aspects. I, of course, have my personal feelings about each poem. I thought some were cut off too abruptly, leaving me waiting for more. Then there were some that I admit to not understanding completely. However, these are not any negative points that should detract from the overall effect of the book.

Having found only one error, I believe the poems were professionally edited. Based on this and all the positives, I rate this book four out of four stars.

Due to the wide range of topics covered, not all the poems would be suitable for every reader. Readers should be advised that, although there is no explicit content or language, there are some more intense topics covered that might be a bit difficult for younger readers. There are also many religious references where Osmani recognizes the possible existence of a soul or an after-life on one line and then takes it back on the next. However, I do not believe these are enough to hinder a religious or non-religious person from enjoying the overall works. Therefore, I would recommend this book to nearly any reader looking for some quick, thought-provoking reads.

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Short Poems, Long Tales
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[zainherb]

Wow! I love poems.
Of all types.
I wonder how this would be since it doesn't rhyme and doesn't stick to a metre though.

I would love to read it.

Thanks for a lovely, detailed review!

[Ann Ogochukwu]

This seems like quite an intense book, and I like the topics featured in this book. I'm not a big fan of poetry, but I think I'll this one.
Lovely review.

[Kirsi Cultrera]

I just love dark and dry humor, but, unfortunately, I find it difficult to connect with poetry. It is a genre I have never understood, regardless how much I have tried. I find it nice that this book covers a wide variety of topics, and that the poems are not that long. Maybe these features make this book more approachable to people like me

Thanks for your detailed review!

[Prisallen]

I like that the poems are varied, and there is something for everyone. However, poetry is not my preferred genre. Thanks for your well-written and interesting review!

[Becca Olsson]

Wow! I love poems.
Of all types.
I wonder how this would be since it doesn't rhyme and doesn't stick to a metre though.

I would love to read it.

Thanks for a lovely, detailed review!

I honestly loved reading most of them despite them not being typical poems. The breaks in the lines make for an interesting sort of spoken poetry feel. Thanks for stopping by!

[Becca Olsson]

This seems like quite an intense book, and I like the topics featured in this book. I'm not a big fan of poetry, but I think I'll this one.
Lovely review.

It really is good I thought and I’m not usually a big fan of poetry either. But this was such short bits at a time and the topics were really interestingly explained.

[Becca Olsson]

I just love dark and dry humor, but, unfortunately, I find it difficult to connect with poetry. It is a genre I have never understood, regardless how much I have tried. I find it nice that this book covers a wide variety of topics, and that the poems are not that long. Maybe these features make this book more approachable to people like me

Thanks for your detailed review!

I think this might be a good poetry book to get you a little interested in it, mainly because they’re all so short you don’t have to get bogged down in tons of imagery and extra details that don’t make much sense. Thanks for the comment!

[Jagiine]

I much prefer poetry with even rhythms and/or rhymes, so I don't think I'll partake, but it sounds like the artist is very good. I admire that Osmani could deeply convey the message and then stop rather than feel the need to fill space like many authors do. Additionally, it takes a wise poet to send out their work with full recognition that not all of it is for everyone. Thank you for your review!

[Becca Olsson]

I much prefer poetry with even rhythms and/or rhymes, so I don't think I'll partake, but it sounds like the artist is very good. I admire that Osmani could deeply convey the message and then stop rather than feel the need to fill space like many authors do. Additionally, it takes a wise poet to send out their work with full recognition that not all of it is for everyone. Thank you for your review!

I completely agree. I love that they’re short and there’s so much more Osmani could’ve said but didn’t feel the need to, it’s up to interpretation at that point. You make some really great points!

[Reader-247]

A book on poems seems right up my alley and your stimulating review has left me wanting to have a go at this collection immediately. I like how there seems to be a poem beffiting every mood. Looking forward to reading these soon. Thanks for a wonderful review.

[Becca Olsson]

A book on poems seems right up my alley and your stimulating review has left me wanting to have a go at this collection immediately. I like how there seems to be a poem beffiting every mood. Looking forward to reading these soon. Thanks for a wonderful review.

I’m glad my review came across so well. I definitely encourage checking it out on your own. Thanks for stopping by!

[SamaylaM]

Oh wow! From your review, this collection of short poems but long tales sound really good. I also like the way the author has worded the preface. Thanks for putting up a great review!

[Becca Olsson]

Oh wow! From your review, this collection of short poems but long tales sound really good. I also like the way the author has worded the preface. Thanks for putting up a great review!

I really did enjoy it and I’m glad you enjoyed the review!

[AvidBibliophile]

It sounds like this book contains a nice collection of poems that explore gender, religion, death, emotions, and the inevitable passage of time. Thank you for sharing your analysis!