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by Sanuli Karunaratne (Author)
'Dance of the day, ' in its essence, is dedicated to exploring the beauty and impermanence of life. It compiles a range of themes, interlinking them through subtle but poignant metaphor, poetic expression, and human emotion. It is an anthology of free verse poetry, mostly adhering to the genre of contemporary prose poetry. It has its roots in naturistic interpretations, with many of the writer's poems drawing on celestial elements, such as the sun, the stars, and the moon, to convey a deep natural spirit and connection to the environment. These are recurring motifs in many of the poems, acting as timeless elements that ground each poem in an almost reverent artistic tone. 'Dance of the day' also dives into myriad abstract and philosophical concepts in its poems, commenting on the impermanence of the self, the discontinuity between reality and fantasy, and the almost tangible link between humanity and nature.
The anthology also draws on the author's own perspective on childhood, and evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing in her work. This recurring theme of childhood and the past contributes to an overarching commentary on cultural dichotomy, with the author using specific poetic techniques to contrast her childhood in her home country of Sri Lanka to her current life in Australian society. This innocent, simplistic tone is complemented by 'Dance of the day's love poetry- often incorporating the author's signature naturalistic elements and motifs to create a peaceful, almost calming atmosphere, portraying a strong and genuine interpretation of romantic, platonic, and familial love. Adjunctly contrasting these themes, several of the anthology's poems also focus on dealing with grief and loss, in an individualistic sense and through relationships. The anthology also has a refreshing focus on existentialism and the true reality of the self, in the context of both the social and natural environment of the modern world. The innate beauty of nature expressed in the book is enhanced by each poem's emphasis on impermanence, and the fulfilment that can be achieved by accepting it as such.'Dance of the day' employs vivid imagery and stark expression to truly capture love, grief, longing, and hope- all aspects of humanity and life.
