Book Review: ‘The Weeds That Grow in Cemeteries’ by Nirmal Ghosh

Book Title: The Weeds That Grow in Cemeteries
Author: Nirmal Ghosh
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Number of Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-9365230932
Date Published: Oct. 5, 2025
Price: INR 315

Book Review

Nirmal Ghosh’s “The Weeds That Grow in Cemeteries” is a poignant collection of 109 poems exploring themes of love, loss, and longing through an unnamed ‘you’ on the brink of departure. Set against varied backdrops—cold Irish mornings, the Perfume River, the Tuileries, and Manila—the poet delves into how time alters post-loss, love reshapes seasons, and elemental forces reflect internal experiences.

Ghosh’s sparse, modern style presents emotional weight despite brevity, creating rich imagery where nature blends with human emotions. The book resonates like lingering rain or a nostalgic scent, encapsulating absence and longing through evocative symbols—shadows, fleeting gestures, and unspoken memories. The cemetery serves as both a literal and metaphorical resting space for forgotten memories and unresolved feelings, where even the invitation to “Meet me at the cemetery” evokes tenderness. The poet artfully intertwines the cosmic with the mundane, juxtaposing distant locations with ordinary experiences, like paper boats that symbolize fate. This interplay mirrors personal memories, such as familial gatherings intertwined with poetry.

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His verses convey an intensity of experience, blending the illicit nature of desire with accompanying loneliness. Some lines resemble koans, prompting contemplation on love’s significance. His whispering voice demands quiet reflection amidst a loud literary world, reminding readers of life’s transience but also showcasing the resilient beauty of “weeds” thriving even at life’s crossroads. A warming read!

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