"Knowing, in my heart of hearts, what I have always known/That is, what other men call life, is but a bridge."
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Footprint of an Elephant by A.N. Persaud Trafford Publishing
book review by Mihir Shah
As life races by, few people have time to appreciate nature's miracles, and life as a whole. In Persaud's poetry, the audience will come face to face with the elements that will eternally keep humanity connected regardless of race, religion, or color. The exploration of the human journey is divided into three sections: Awakening, Uprising, and Conquest.
Footprint of an Elephant addresses themes ranging from fighting fear and battling one's inner demons to grappling with death and understanding the true definition of freedom. While all forty-nine poems offer an introspective glimpse into the path of life, the poems that stand above the rest include "The Bridge," "One Freedom," "When fools decide to tread," and "We too are human." In each of these poems, Persaud brings the superficial element of being human crashing down, and digs far deeper—into the very essence of man. For instance, "When fools decide to tread," is an intriguing poem that harps on the principle of karma and paving one's own path. Those who commit the folly of usurping another's path because of material desires will inevitably have Hades waiting for them in the dark recesses of death's realm. The passage that invites itself for further exploration states, "Having not moved from surface/Hades waits in hole/And having held beyond one's reach/Darken stands the soul."
Ultimately, Persaud's poetry provides a guide map of hope and happiness. Hate will send the individual to the dark side while love will be accompanied by freedom. Using startling imagery and entrancing verse, Persaud persuades the readers to take a long, hard look within and ask if they are treading along the path that is meant for them.