"Wild Hearts" By Somte Ralte

Wild Hearts is the first collection of poetry by Somte Ralte, a young Mizo writer who resides in Aizawl, the idyllic capital of Mizoram. The vivid descriptions of sights and sounds in the collection are direct references to the untouched beauty of nature surrounding the poet. Written in a simple, conversational tone, Wild Hearts encapsulates the lives and preoccupations of youths in Northeast India. Through the persona of the speaker, the poet addresses various issues that many youths face today, be it romance, society, religion, or the self. Beneath the seemingly simplified verse forms and language construction, the poet seeks to convey the deeper message of the importance of finding oneself amidst accepted conventions and traditions in many of her poems. Apart from this stress on self assertion, the poet also hints at the necessity of maintaining good mental health in today’s world, as youths increasingly succumb to daily pressures at an alarming rate. The collection invites a fresh look at the recurring perception of poetical works of Northeast India as rooted in one’s culture and traditions by transcending borders through images and locations, which leaves the reader with an overwhelming sense of rootlessness, perhaps synonymous with the poet’s lived experiences.

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