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The Way It Is
The poems in this collection take you on a journey from Syrian refugees fleeing across the ocean to political events in Gaza, Afghanistan, the US and Sri Lanka, environmental concerns, women's and children's rights, and a lot more. There are also poems about justice and identity.
My words my tunes
my history my life slowly killed, but folks that make
the rules don’t let minds work that way.
My voice they still; my lips they seal
and my words,
my words.
My words they force
into hiding with threats of death.
My words my tunes
my history my life slowly killed, but folks that make
the rules don’t let minds work that way.
My voice they still; my lips they seal
and my words,
my words.
My words they force
into hiding with threats of death.
114 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2024
1 person want to read
About the author
Shirani Rajapakse
13 books32 followersShirani Rajapakse is a Sri Lankan poet and short story writer.
She is the author of four collections of short stories and four books of poetry.
Short Stories
"Breaking News" (2011, 2018) -shortlisted for the 2010 "Gratiaen Award",
"I Exist. Therefore I Am" (2018) – winner of the 2019 "State Literary Awards" and shortlisted for the 2019 "Rubery Book Awards",
"Gods, Nukes and a Whole Lot of Nonsense" (2021) winner of the 2022 "State Literary Awards, and,
"Offerings to the Blue God" (2023).
Poetry.
"Chant of a Million Women" (2017) won the 2018 "Kindle Book Awards", was chosen as an 'Official Selection' in the 2018 "New Apple Summer eBook Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing" and received an Honorable Mention in the 2018 "Readers’ Favorite Awards".
"Fallen Leaves" was published in 2019.
"Samsara" (2022) - won the 2023 Boao International Poetry Award for Poetry Collection of the Year, China, was nominated for the 2023 State Literary Awards, Sri Lanka and was shortlisted for the 2022 Gratiaen Award, Sri Lanka.
"The Way It Is" was published in 2024.
She won the the 2025 Gran Premio della Giuria – The Grand Jury Prize – in the 31st Ossi di Sepia Award in Section B, which is for a collection of poems. The poems were from "The Way It Is."
In 2013 she won the Cha 'Betrayal' Poetry Contest, was placed second in the 2024 World Food Day Poetry Competition and was a finalist in the 2013 Anna Davidson Rosenberg Poetry Awards.
Her selection of poems was "Highly Commended" in the 2022 erbacce Poetry Prize, UK.
She is the author of four collections of short stories and four books of poetry.
Short Stories
"Breaking News" (2011, 2018) -shortlisted for the 2010 "Gratiaen Award",
"I Exist. Therefore I Am" (2018) – winner of the 2019 "State Literary Awards" and shortlisted for the 2019 "Rubery Book Awards",
"Gods, Nukes and a Whole Lot of Nonsense" (2021) winner of the 2022 "State Literary Awards, and,
"Offerings to the Blue God" (2023).
Poetry.
"Chant of a Million Women" (2017) won the 2018 "Kindle Book Awards", was chosen as an 'Official Selection' in the 2018 "New Apple Summer eBook Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing" and received an Honorable Mention in the 2018 "Readers’ Favorite Awards".
"Fallen Leaves" was published in 2019.
"Samsara" (2022) - won the 2023 Boao International Poetry Award for Poetry Collection of the Year, China, was nominated for the 2023 State Literary Awards, Sri Lanka and was shortlisted for the 2022 Gratiaen Award, Sri Lanka.
"The Way It Is" was published in 2024.
She won the the 2025 Gran Premio della Giuria – The Grand Jury Prize – in the 31st Ossi di Sepia Award in Section B, which is for a collection of poems. The poems were from "The Way It Is."
In 2013 she won the Cha 'Betrayal' Poetry Contest, was placed second in the 2024 World Food Day Poetry Competition and was a finalist in the 2013 Anna Davidson Rosenberg Poetry Awards.
Her selection of poems was "Highly Commended" in the 2022 erbacce Poetry Prize, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 29, 2024
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
The Book ‘The Way It Is’, is about a poetry collection ranging from politics and racism to war and death. Even though the poems don't rhyme most of the time, it still has a great flow while reading. I really liked about this book how wide ranging the topics were in it. After reading about war, I was reading about how woman dress and misogyny and then after that about slavery. Poems express so much more than outspoken words ever can and Shirani Rajapakse kept me intrigued with her poetry collection till the end.
While reading I felt that these poems felt extremely personal and heartbreaking for me. The way the words were chosen for each poem, made me feel heard and understood, as I express the same feelings to certain topics that were covered in this collection. The poems were also not overly complicated, but rather easy to understand and follow. Length of each poem was perfect, never too long but also never too short. Often I feel while reading poems that they could have been longer but even sometimes shorter, but that wasn't the case here.
I also enjoyed a few poems a little bit more than some others (probably due to my opinions and view about them), for example, ‘Omnipresence’ is about politics and how it influences us.
‘Your Children’ is about misogyny and how raising your son better would change the way how girls and women could act and dress around them. I think that telling a girl to adjust to something/someone due to boys that were raised in a bad way to be very wrong. If these boys would have been teached to respect females these females wouldn't need to walk home earlier or dress in a way where only the eyes are still seen.
There is so much more, but I don't want to spoil it, so read it yourself if you are interested in it. But beware that there are triggering content, which also triggered me, so check out my content warning for this book before reading it.
These poems were really great and thoughtful.
Thank you Shirani Rajapakse for the advanced reader copy of ‘The Way It Is’.
—————————————————————
StoryGraph review + content warning
Read: 28. November 2024
Reviewed: 29. November 2024
The Book ‘The Way It Is’, is about a poetry collection ranging from politics and racism to war and death. Even though the poems don't rhyme most of the time, it still has a great flow while reading. I really liked about this book how wide ranging the topics were in it. After reading about war, I was reading about how woman dress and misogyny and then after that about slavery. Poems express so much more than outspoken words ever can and Shirani Rajapakse kept me intrigued with her poetry collection till the end.
While reading I felt that these poems felt extremely personal and heartbreaking for me. The way the words were chosen for each poem, made me feel heard and understood, as I express the same feelings to certain topics that were covered in this collection. The poems were also not overly complicated, but rather easy to understand and follow. Length of each poem was perfect, never too long but also never too short. Often I feel while reading poems that they could have been longer but even sometimes shorter, but that wasn't the case here.
I also enjoyed a few poems a little bit more than some others (probably due to my opinions and view about them), for example, ‘Omnipresence’ is about politics and how it influences us.
Death on the high seas trying to get to safety,
only to find on reaching it was all a myth.
That’s politics.
Our beliefs and clothes are political.
Religious decrees to cover up in shrouds
lest someone sees and gets tempted to rape.
‘Your Children’ is about misogyny and how raising your son better would change the way how girls and women could act and dress around them. I think that telling a girl to adjust to something/someone due to boys that were raised in a bad way to be very wrong. If these boys would have been teached to respect females these females wouldn't need to walk home earlier or dress in a way where only the eyes are still seen.
"Your daughters are
receptors of knowledge, filled
with interesting ideas,
thoughts that could generate great
conversations, find solutions to the world’s
problems, if
you care to engage them in talk.
Don’t force them to be
something they are not, because your
sons have no control
over themselves.
Don’t shut them in,
imprison them
in shrouds, black cloaks
with only their eyes showing, covering
them up like corpses ready
to be thrown on
a communal burial heap."
There is so much more, but I don't want to spoil it, so read it yourself if you are interested in it. But beware that there are triggering content, which also triggered me, so check out my content warning for this book before reading it.
These poems were really great and thoughtful.
Thank you Shirani Rajapakse for the advanced reader copy of ‘The Way It Is’.
—————————————————————
StoryGraph review + content warning
Read: 28. November 2024
Reviewed: 29. November 2024
November 24, 2024
The Way It Is by Shirani Rajapakse: A Poetry Book Review
Exploring Political Threads in Poetic Form
In "The Way It Is", Shirani Rajapakse uses her poetry to explore important political issues, questioning societal norms, language, and even the way people dress. Her poems make a strong impact, especially when addressing women’s rights and the violence they face. She also critiques vaccine mandates and highlights the indifference of leaders to public suffering, showing her courage in tackling difficult topics.
This poetry collection takes readers on a profound journey, weaving through the struggles of Syrian refugees crossing treacherous oceans, the political turmoil in Gaza, Afghanistan, the U.S., and Sri Lanka, and pressing issues like environmental challenges, women's rights, and children's welfare. It also delves deeply into themes of justice and identity, offering a rich tapestry of poignant reflections.
Reflections on War and Identity
The collection powerfully reflects on the scars of war, unfulfilled political promises, and the erosion of cultural identity. Rajapakse's poetry demands freedom and calls for remembrance, encapsulating the fragility of human rights and the enduring need to honour individual and collective histories.
Women’s Pain and Resilience
At the heart of Rajapakse's work is a poignant exploration of women's struggles in a patriarchal society. Her compassionate storytelling elevates the voices of the silenced, offering narratives of pain, survival, and resilience. She makes these stories relatable with poetic language and vivid imagery, drawing readers into the raw, emotional landscapes of her characters' lives.
Themes of Connection and Hope
Rajapakse’s poetry ventures beyond societal critique, delving into universal themes of reincarnation, spirituality, love, and the essence of human relationships. She explores the interconnectedness of all living beings, juxtaposing suffering with a sense of hope that refuses to dim. These layers enrich her poetic vision, making her work a mosaic of thought and emotion.
Unveiling Oppression
Through unflinching honesty, Rajapakse illuminates the societal pressures imposed on women. Her verses lay bare the oppressive expectations of traditional gender roles and the consequences of resistance. She highlights the emotional and psychological toll of such struggles, illustrating a universal longing for autonomy and dignity in the face of systemic repression.
A Mantra of Resilience: ‘I Will Rise’
One of the standout poems in the collection, "I Will Rise", embodies the unyielding spirit of women. It is a poetic anthem of empowerment and defiance, a reminder that resilience and hope are unassailable even amidst violence and suppression. This declaration resonates as a rallying cry for equality and freedom, amplifying the broader themes of the collection.
Conclusion: A Poignant, Urgent Read
"The Way It Is" is a masterful collection that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit while challenging societal injustices. Shirani Rajapakse’s poetic craftsmanship transforms her verses into a beacon of critique and hope, making this book an essential read for anyone drawn to the complexities of societal and emotional landscapes.
Exploring Political Threads in Poetic Form
In "The Way It Is", Shirani Rajapakse uses her poetry to explore important political issues, questioning societal norms, language, and even the way people dress. Her poems make a strong impact, especially when addressing women’s rights and the violence they face. She also critiques vaccine mandates and highlights the indifference of leaders to public suffering, showing her courage in tackling difficult topics.
This poetry collection takes readers on a profound journey, weaving through the struggles of Syrian refugees crossing treacherous oceans, the political turmoil in Gaza, Afghanistan, the U.S., and Sri Lanka, and pressing issues like environmental challenges, women's rights, and children's welfare. It also delves deeply into themes of justice and identity, offering a rich tapestry of poignant reflections.
Reflections on War and Identity
The collection powerfully reflects on the scars of war, unfulfilled political promises, and the erosion of cultural identity. Rajapakse's poetry demands freedom and calls for remembrance, encapsulating the fragility of human rights and the enduring need to honour individual and collective histories.
Women’s Pain and Resilience
At the heart of Rajapakse's work is a poignant exploration of women's struggles in a patriarchal society. Her compassionate storytelling elevates the voices of the silenced, offering narratives of pain, survival, and resilience. She makes these stories relatable with poetic language and vivid imagery, drawing readers into the raw, emotional landscapes of her characters' lives.
Themes of Connection and Hope
Rajapakse’s poetry ventures beyond societal critique, delving into universal themes of reincarnation, spirituality, love, and the essence of human relationships. She explores the interconnectedness of all living beings, juxtaposing suffering with a sense of hope that refuses to dim. These layers enrich her poetic vision, making her work a mosaic of thought and emotion.
Unveiling Oppression
Through unflinching honesty, Rajapakse illuminates the societal pressures imposed on women. Her verses lay bare the oppressive expectations of traditional gender roles and the consequences of resistance. She highlights the emotional and psychological toll of such struggles, illustrating a universal longing for autonomy and dignity in the face of systemic repression.
A Mantra of Resilience: ‘I Will Rise’
One of the standout poems in the collection, "I Will Rise", embodies the unyielding spirit of women. It is a poetic anthem of empowerment and defiance, a reminder that resilience and hope are unassailable even amidst violence and suppression. This declaration resonates as a rallying cry for equality and freedom, amplifying the broader themes of the collection.
Conclusion: A Poignant, Urgent Read
"The Way It Is" is a masterful collection that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit while challenging societal injustices. Shirani Rajapakse’s poetic craftsmanship transforms her verses into a beacon of critique and hope, making this book an essential read for anyone drawn to the complexities of societal and emotional landscapes.
November 20, 2024
Readers of Shirani Rajapakse’s poetry will be familiar with her anger and impatience in the face of the violent, bloodthirsty politics practiced in so many areas of the world. Children displaced or murdered, families ripped apart, men disappearing without a trace, beautiful, verdant valleys laid waste, legitimate democracies overthrown. Her righteous and justified anger, her outrage, burns the pages of this collection.
Readers of her poetry will also be familiar with her startling observations where she anthropomorphizes natural occurrences, like leaves dancing with each other in a breeze, or a tree waving to a neighbor. This collection doesn’t have quite the range of these charming offerings, thrust as it is in the service of the poet’s magisterial anger.
These accusing verses veer from anger to despair to resignation to hope; Rajapakse dwells on all these at some length and from a variety of vantages. She touches on class conflict in a way that I don’t recall her doing before. A woman’s homeland is invaded by privileged young people who tell her she’s not doing enough to decry the dictator. They tell her she must reduce consumption for the health of the planet. Reduce consumption?:
“…but of what? She wonders as she
looks around meagre belongings, someone’s
hand-me-downs old slippers with holes that can’t
keep the dirt out,
a pot in the middle of the only room
she shares with her sisters and parents
to collect the water dripping from the roof…” (from “Whose World Is It Really?”)
Rajapakse’s imagination ranges on: she waits for rain to bring water that a T-Rex may once have drunk. She remembers the age-old natural remedies, prepared from plants now plowed under in deference to Big Pharma profits. She suffers through dark nights of the soul, without sleep, without contact, and temporarily without hope.
At length, however, Rajapakse does see fit to finish on a hopeful note. In a poem called “I Will Rise,” she reviews more than a thousand years of being cut down and yet getting to her feet again; she cites monks with stakes driven through them; she recalls Nazis locking her “inside cauldrons of hate”; her tongue cut out so she could not accuse those who didn’t like what she says. After her house is set aflame by an incendiary device:
“…My words
crumpled and turned to cinders and they think
they have won. Yet I will rise.
I will rise. For I am truth
and I will rise.”
As we review this poet’s oeuvre, it becomes blatantly clear that she has the clarity, magisterial judgment, and comprehensive outlook to earn the title “Conscience for our Age.” Would that many many more would read her words, and be chastised into less destructive, and less murderous, lives.
https://bassoprofundo1.blogspot.com/2...
Readers of her poetry will also be familiar with her startling observations where she anthropomorphizes natural occurrences, like leaves dancing with each other in a breeze, or a tree waving to a neighbor. This collection doesn’t have quite the range of these charming offerings, thrust as it is in the service of the poet’s magisterial anger.
These accusing verses veer from anger to despair to resignation to hope; Rajapakse dwells on all these at some length and from a variety of vantages. She touches on class conflict in a way that I don’t recall her doing before. A woman’s homeland is invaded by privileged young people who tell her she’s not doing enough to decry the dictator. They tell her she must reduce consumption for the health of the planet. Reduce consumption?:
“…but of what? She wonders as she
looks around meagre belongings, someone’s
hand-me-downs old slippers with holes that can’t
keep the dirt out,
a pot in the middle of the only room
she shares with her sisters and parents
to collect the water dripping from the roof…” (from “Whose World Is It Really?”)
Rajapakse’s imagination ranges on: she waits for rain to bring water that a T-Rex may once have drunk. She remembers the age-old natural remedies, prepared from plants now plowed under in deference to Big Pharma profits. She suffers through dark nights of the soul, without sleep, without contact, and temporarily without hope.
At length, however, Rajapakse does see fit to finish on a hopeful note. In a poem called “I Will Rise,” she reviews more than a thousand years of being cut down and yet getting to her feet again; she cites monks with stakes driven through them; she recalls Nazis locking her “inside cauldrons of hate”; her tongue cut out so she could not accuse those who didn’t like what she says. After her house is set aflame by an incendiary device:
“…My words
crumpled and turned to cinders and they think
they have won. Yet I will rise.
I will rise. For I am truth
and I will rise.”
As we review this poet’s oeuvre, it becomes blatantly clear that she has the clarity, magisterial judgment, and comprehensive outlook to earn the title “Conscience for our Age.” Would that many many more would read her words, and be chastised into less destructive, and less murderous, lives.
https://bassoprofundo1.blogspot.com/2...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews