The Blood From My Heart is a book made of thought-provoking poems about a young man’s place in the world.
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Rating: 4/5
From the mind of Dillon Parmar comes a poetry book filled with hand-drawn illustrations and poems. It covers topics from technology and spirituality, to heartbreak and true love. These short, bite-sized poems reflect on life, society and love. Additionally, it is all from Parmar’s point of view, written between the ages of 18 to 21.
I began reading this book during the UK’s second national coronavirus lockdown. Despite being written before 2020, the words are resonating. They brought me comfort during what felt like never-ending days. I also found many of the poems applicable to my situation.
The Blood From My Heart has a mix of vernacular and colloquial language alongside formal writing. The variety makes these poems interesting to read. The book is split into two large subsections: Truths and Rights, and Love. Within these subsections are a wide range of topics. These include spirituality, technology, rebelling against the system, heartbreak, and finding true love.
Truths and rights
In this section of his book, Parmar looks at how these two similar abstract nouns can come to juxtapose each other. To him, truths and rights are about being awake and conscious. This can be environmentally, socially or emotionally.
The most notable poems from this section for me are:
Validation
The illustration for this really encapsulates the essence of the poem, a woman in a wheelchair whose shadow is a ballerina. This poem tells the reader that no matter what others think of you, you should live your life for yourself and not based on other peoples’ opinions. This rang true with me, as I, like many women, doubt myself and feel the need to conform.
Material Things
This poem reflects on the world’s obsession with the next big trend and how this can lead to unhappiness rather than the joy we hope for. It reminds me that there is more to life than “silly things”, as Parmar puts it.
Poor or Rich
I enjoyed this poem a lot because it made me think about the competitiveness of the world today. People always wanting to be better or richer than the person beside them. Parmar writes about the stark contrast between the rich and the poor. The rich worry about what brand-new material possessions they have, whilst the poor have nothing. This is a very poignant and thought-provoking poem for me.
Spirituality
“You can’t accept no knowledge with a closed mind,” Parmar writes. Finding happiness within yourself is a spiritual journey. This is exactly what the poet tries to tell the reader throughout these 20 spirituality themed poems. The topic of spirituality in The Blood From My Heart looks at Parmar’s own religion, Rastafarianism. It also sheds light on the meaning of God to others. My favourite piece from this topic is Joy.
Technology
Whether you are tech-savvy or more of a novice, poems under the topic of technology was eye-opening to say the least. It was enlightening to hear from a different perspective how detrimental addictions to an online world can be. Titles include Online Battle and Programme or Programmed to The Youths of Today and Instant Age. This chapter made me think of my own choices when it comes to media consumption. Am I really in control? Or am I just used to religiously having my phone within arm’s reach?
Love
Parmar lays his soul bare for the reader in this subsection, looking at his relationships and writing about them with passion. Whether writing about his parents or a lover, Parmar speaks candidly and melancholically. He reflects on the joys and miseries of all types of love, especially the unrequited type. My top picks are Better Man, Girl Friend and Lean On.
Whether you’re a fan of poetry or looking to get into it, this is a good place to start
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book of poems. I can dip in and out to find a little page of inspiration for whatever I need at that time. The only thing I would like to see more of in this book would be poems of a varying length, that delve into a topic even more. The poems and drawings are lovingly put together, with Parmar’s voice radiating throughout the book.
The Blood From My Heart is available to purchase on Amazon for £9.99.