SR: Could you give us a quick introduction to yourself?
My name is Soumik Srabony, and I hail from Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Currently a student at Varendra University, I've successfully completed my BA and am currently pursuing my MA in the Department of English Literature and Language. Alongside my academic pursuits, I have a deep passion for poetry creation and avid reading.
1. "Spirits Magazine" at Indiana University Northwest
2. Raw Lit Magazine (Photography)
3. Smacked Zine:
- Issue VIII: Sun
- Issue XI: Music
- Issue XIV: Creep
4. Rainbug Poetry Review - Issue II
5. The Malu Zine - Issue IV
Being an ardent nature lover, I find joy in appreciating every facet of creation. I approach life with a unique perspective, valuing kindness and the ability to bring happiness to others.
SR: What does poetry mean to you?
Poetry is the shadow of a person's memories and imaginations. We can see shadows, chase them, measure their size, define them, but we cannot touch them. In a poem, mostly, we find the pastness of the present or even the future. A poem obviously contains color, taste, smell, and other senses as well. Mainly, our eyes and delusion make a poem. When you are reading a poem, you are reading a person—through another person—moments, chaos, love, hatred, and many more. Poetry is created through our senses, and it also plays with our senses. Poetry is a reflection of the self, containing timelessness.
SR: What is a word you often use in your poems? And why?
Actually, I don't have any 'specific' words that I use often in my poems. However, I follow some of T.S. Eliot's writing patterns as they are deeply rooted in my mind. I mainly focus on what I feel and how I want to portray it.
SR: Are there any authors or poets who inspired you to write?
Till now, there are two waves that pushed me into the ocean of poetry. The first one: The journey of writing my poems started when I was in 4th grade. Back then, I didn’t know what poetry was or how to write poems. My respected teacher assigned us the task one day to write a poem, and my journey began from that day.The second one: Things happened, and I completely stopped writing poems. Due to the long gap and my lack of willingness, I wasn’t able to write a single line. Then one day, I was attending a poetry class in the second semester during my BA program. Mr. Hisham M Nazer was teaching that class, and he's like a real magician. I really can't properly express my realization and feeling for my Captain and how he opened my mind's eye. He's one of my greatest inspirations. Along with him, I personally like and follow T.S. Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, Sufia Kamal, Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi (Rumi), Jibanananda Das, Rabindranath Tagore, W.B Yeats, and Shakespeare. They are some of my inspirational figures.
SR: What advice do you have for young poets who’ve just started their publication journey?
My advice for young poets embarking on their publication journey is to earnestly steer clear of any form of fear, particularly the fear of criticism. Embrace the positive aspects and dismiss negativity. Avoid being a blind fan of anyone; instead, be real and true to yourself.
SR: What are your future plans as a writer?
To be honest, I don't have specific plans at the moment, but I dream that one day my books will be published. I plan to continue writing until the day all my senses are active.