Review by Reader8 -- Bleeding Gull - look, feel, fly

Reader8 · Post by **Reader8** » 27 Jul 2018, 11:28

[Following is a volunteer review of "Bleeding Gull - look, feel, fly" by Raed Anis Aljishi.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Review of “Bleeding Gull-Look, Feel, Fly” by “Raed Anis Al-Jishi”}

In today’s age of speed and dullness, everyone has become mechanical. What it needs is a breath of poetry. Sounds cliché! But not just any poetry! But a collection of poetry which is reflection of our emotions, different stages and phases of our life in realistic way. Poetry which might help find answers to many of our questions. And for those who wish to read such poetry,
“Bleeding Gull-Look, Feel, Fly” by “Raed Anis Al-Jishi” is a treat for the readers.

“ Bleeding Gull” the name might sound a little odd when you read it for the first time. But gradually as you read this collection, you understand the meaning of such a book title. Here the poet takes in a different perspective: that of looking at lives and different situation through a Gull’s eyes. Look at life, Feel what is happening and then Rise up and Fly away or shine even in bad times of your life. The poems you come across in this collection relate to different topics ranging from motherhood, freedom, love, fighting disease like Cancer, feeling the loss of having lost someone or feeling different emotions such as happiness, sadness, transformation, liberation , humorous in nature too and many more. But every poem holds an essence which touches one’s core, one’s inner soul. Poet “Raed Anis Al-Jishi” proves to be a master word weaver when it comes to playing with words and leaving a lot to a reader’s imagination.

There are quite a few things which I like about this collection. Every poem has unique play of words and use of very few words. The poet here gives the reader a few set of words and strong imagination to understand what he is trying to convey. Every poem is like a revelation. But to all readers, these poems are not as easy to understand as they seem. Many of the poems use words which need to be searched on. It is only then that one will understand every poem. Another aspect which I find intriguing about this collection is not a single poem has been written in rhyming manner. Further, the in-depth personification of complex stages of life or challenging issue have been told with graceful subtlety.

Every poem has a profound and captivating effect on your mind and gives a new understanding. This collection not only has gut wrenching emotions but resonates with poems on lighter notes as well. Few of my personal favorite ones were “Harmony”, “Grieve”, “Riding- second paragraph”, “Tunisia”, “An affair”, “Melody”, “Prisoner”, “Blindness”, “Creation” and “Autism girls.” Some lines had deep impact on me. Line such as “Who burns who?” or “The sound waves seduce dreams” or

“He stole my poems, And placed a knife, On the flank of my lips.”

And many more! Whereas some lines made me laugh as well. For e.g.:

“Are you suffering from The anxiety of poetry And the reading pain?”

And all the time these poems capture your imagination. So on basis of all the above, I would rate Bleeding Gull-Look, Feel, Fly” by “Raed Anis Al-Jishi” - a 4 out of 4 stars on rating scale.
To all the future readers reading this review, please do not miss out on this one Hope to read many more from you Mr Raed Anis Al- Jishi in future. Wish you all the best.

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Bleeding Gull - look, feel, fly
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joycechitwa · Post by **joycechitwa** » 30 Jul 2018, 04:22

Wow, a very interesting review on a collection of poems! I'm glad you enjoyed them enough to have wonderful things to say about the book in the review. It's certainly a unique perspective of the author to write his poems through the view of a gull. It serves to increase the creativity of the book. In addition he addresses a number of present-day themes like motherhood, love, loss and fighting cancer which makes the poems relatable with readers.

Abigail R · Post by **Abigail R** » 30 Jul 2018, 10:02

I am glad to hear that this collection was meaningful to you but could also make you laugh! I am always looking for new poetry so maybe this will be the next poetry I read!
Thanks for the review!