Lit eZine Vol 7 | p-16 | BOOK REVIEW | In The Shadow of Rainbows

BOOK REVIEW

IN THE SHADOW OF RAINBOWS: A Collection of Songs of Presence
A Review by Khaya Ronkainen

Some people are meticulous about reading book introductions, while others routinely skip them. There’s no one correct way to read a poetry collection. While it may seem like a small gesture, the author’s note allows readers to become a part of the world the author has created. Not only does the author welcome the reader, but they also actively shape the reading experience by outlining desired takeaways.

“I’m confident that one poem in this book will take your hand, reunite you with your echo and take you home — found and richer with you-ness for having been seen.”

Selma Martin’s debut poetry collection, In The Shadow of Rainbows: A Collection of Songs of Presence, features approximately sixty-three poems. Blending dark and light, the collection mirrors the complexities of life, finding beauty amidst struggle. The introductory poem beautifully captures the union of darkness and light, mirroring the way sunlight interacts with water droplets to produce a rainbow.

the wind disguised from me
the cry of the river
you won’t hear it either
unless you climb the bank
the poem disguised
itself from me
it hid in burrows
and places I wouldn’t go looking:
inside shadows, whispers and echoes
until one day I saw rainbows on my eyelashes
— come with me, I’ll help you find your poem…
© Selma Martin

Although the poems in the book aren’t organised into obvious sections, several recurring themes become clear as one continues to read. One example of such a theme is the duality of light and shadow. The repeated imagery of shadows and rainbows hints at a thematic contrast between hardship and hope. Poems such as “Her Mind,” “The House,” and “Enough” delve into the shadows of life, like rage, struggle, and loneliness, yet simultaneously reveal moments of light that connect us as humans.

Another theme revolves around empathy and altruism. At the beginning of the book, the author reflects on childhood experiences, suggesting a deep-rooted compassion and sensitivity to others’ struggles. Poems such as “Extra,” “Give Back,” and “When Death Comes” highlight acts of kindness, selflessness, and the difficulties of navigating a self-centred world which doesn’t always reciprocate such generosity.

This collection offers a wide range of poems that touch on themes of resilience, self-reflection, joy, and beauty, especially the meditative aspect of nature, which provides comfort and profound emotional resonance. Furthermore, the ongoing theme of imagination serves as a tool for agency and self-empowerment. The reader witnesses this interplay between internal and external worlds in poems like “Instinct,” “Shadows,” and “Circle of Earth,” where imagined possibilities influence and transform.

Tied to “Songs of Presence”, there’s a sense of mindfulness, a recognition of each moment, even painful ones, as an opportunity to connect more deeply with oneself and with others. From this theme of presence and mindfulness, I find my poem. Inspired by these words, “the calmest place to inhabit / anchors safely inside of you/ but look for it with intention / confident that you will find it,” I celebrate the peace within.

In all, poems in this book weave a delicate tapestry of compassion, resilience, and introspective beauty. Each poem serves as a reminder of life’s duality—the shadows that shape us and the rainbows that lift us. The author’s resonant voice conveys the necessity of engaging with life’s complexities with a compassionate heart. This book helps us find stillness and grace amidst life’s struggles.Peace emerges from the shadow of rainbows.