GlimpsesOfInsight

Reading through Asif Barkhiya’s collection of poems “Veils of Darkness” one wishes that one knew more about the poet than he is a young man and a non-academic.

In his poetry, the questions of good versus evil, light versus darkness, virtue versus calumny—all those much-maligned binarities—are once again raised. His poetry says something important, something that is worth listening to and it says it in a powerful way. And such power of expression comes from a basic honesty. In fact, honesty is a kind of intelligence, and there is plenty of that intelligence in the poems of Asif Barkhiya.

Short, unembellished, almost stark in their purity (no metaphor, no simile to speak of), the poems collected here address some important aspects of human life in a universal fashion. For a generation tired of modernist discourse this kind of writing should be a welcome change.
You can go see it at www.lulu.com/content/5459064

Mr. Asif Barkhiya has brought out the philosophy of life in a nutshell in his collection of “The Chronicles of Times”. The vanity of vanities, the beauty one places on physical appearance, the equality of persons which death brings about both for the rich and poor, the respect for woman who is the embodiment of love and the enticers of man are brought out very well in his poems. “The Dark Devil” gives a good thought about the devil which induces man to do evil and remains at “ease and leisure” after spoiling the man sufficiently well. He invites the readers to ponder over the truth of the passing man in the world which continues to live for ever in the “The Language of ruins”. 

Mr. Asif Barkhiya has brought out the themes on love, life and death very well. His poetry is a pensive reflection of life and death which has a deep metaphysical meaning which relativizes the mundane and hedonistic aspects of life. He places in his triology a wide encompassing framework of human interactions with all its emotional complexities. He also tries to discriminate between the so-called good and evil and induces the reader to reflect over the meaning of life and experience the Truth in the midst of the turbulence of life. 

The imagery used in the poems reveals the creativity of a young poet and deserves the benevolent attention of the critics. Mr. Barkhiya has entered the realm of creativity with an ease of his poetic talent. 

The book deserves a place in the literature of a new generation.

Review and purchase it at:

 http://www.lulu.com/content/5438909

“Glimpses of Insight” is an awe-inspiring collection of poems, in a style quite reminiscent of the Elizabethean dialect. From deep within arises a passion for God, for truth and a recognition that all of us are responsible for our lives and the choices we make.

There is much to nourish the heart and mind in this collection. Many questions are asked, and the answers are left to the reader, but food for thought is not wanting. Asif Barkhiya has collected together his thoughts on personal and profound questions.

http://www.lulu.com/content/4005076