Poet Kapoor has gathered an engaging collection of her works, accompanied here by tenderly colorful drawings created by her grandmother, Amita. The combined artistry is as breathtaking as it is wise and wondrous. Each poem has a “catch”—sometimes simple but often steeped in deeper meaning. For example, Kapoor opines, “And even an ounce of hope / Can lead to a gallon of happiness / If you believe in yourself.” Some observations are light, as when Kapoor speaks of “Mom” as “the gentle talons that hold me up above the clouds.” Others are darker, like a bold declaration countering another’s spite: “I Stand My Ground.”

In Chapter Three, “Dive into the Depths of Nature,” Kapoor explores “Peace and Rage,” supported by an emotive drawing: a stolid maple tree strangled by vines. In “Despite Differences,” Kapoor reminds readers that though the mountains rise, valleys sink, birds fly, and reptiles “slither low,” still “mother Earth lives as one.” Her thought-provoking contemplations are supported by the artwork on each facing page, neatly bringing her thoughts into recognizable focus. In every poem, Kapoor’s far-reaching thoughts surprise, both with their uplifting sentiments and their hints of human failings.

Astonishingly, Kapoor is only ten years old. A writer of both poetry and fantasy fiction, she has already garnered many distinctions. She began her poetic journey at five and is a member of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as well as a member of Mensa. Her genuine understanding of poetic structure and her deft use of language and imagery would seem to presage a career in that field, should she choose it. It is clear that her trajectory will continue to soar upwards, based on the offerings in this small but shimmering presentation, offering inspiration to other young people and admiration among a wide readership.

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