On Reading Fictile Feelings: Few Random Thoughts

Sunil Sharma

---Sunil Sharma
 
Here is an anthology of poetry, guest-edited by the noted poet Sanjeev Sethi, and published online by the Hooghly Review, on October 3^rd.
Talking of his vision for this inaugural special, Sanjeev---a unique voice in the field of English poetry, combining rare syntax and idiom and imagery, as his singular signature and winning global fans---writes in the brief editorial:
 
We offer a bouquet. There is no claim for it being the best poetry ever written. That wasn’t even my brief to myself when I agreed to take on the responsibility of curating this Special. What we have is a happy mingle of the most striking poems from the slush pile and from the dispatches of the few poets I invited.
As the Issue developed, I realized each poem was for a reason. It served a purpose as it added to the poetic conversation.
 

Poetic conversation. Fictile Feelings. Two key terms that define the editorial vision of Sanjeev that informs the careful selection of works of 96 poets.
Conversation among poets.
Conversation among readers.
Between poets and poet-editor.
And, with the editors of the journal as well.
Meaningful dialogue it was/is.
The canvas of feelings and emotions that unfolds on the screen before the reader’s eyes is---mesmerising.
Multi-tonal, multi-hued.

Full of warmth. Full of warm colours coming straight from a full heart in the process of creation---crafting visions, words, images.
Fictile feelings---being moulded. Being shaped into rich forms and colours.

Different themes and flavours woven expertly by poets deeply engaged in the “making” of worlds and meanings through the aesthetic production.

Curated by a committed editor who knows the craft and emotions of poetry so well.
A rare vision; conversation; collection!
Each poem, a sensory, sensuous experience.
Citing few poets will be unjust to other brilliant ones; a pitfall to be avoided, in this collage.
The general mood can be summed up in Sanjeev’s voice:
 
Never sue love for its heightened unease. It is temporal under the tutelage of sensory spice.
There is much in my creel, yet a chilling emptiness continues. Should I see it in punitive strokes?
Or as a propelling agent?
(From: “At Sixty-Three”, page 96)
 
A pleasurable outing with the gifted ones, curated by the best in the field.
Congrats to the poets and publishers for this stand-out book of happening poetry.
 
The Link to the Special:
---https://thehooghlyreview.com/issues/fictile-feelings-poetry-special-october-2025/ 

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Setu, September 2025