Pheromones
Summary
Pheromones is a collection of poems—poems of love written in the form of erotic verses about the sensory experiences and intense emotions felt by the characters, the beads of which are woven together in each poem, creating a spectacular peep through the window into the personal space of the poet, where the “I” embraces my vulnerabilities, insecurities, cravings, obsessions and indulgences and indirectly urges the readers to do so too. These are the stories of bodies and souls that splashed across each other and created the greatest gig of senses—stories that the author now hopes become yours.
Robert Frost said, “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” It couldn’t be truer, for Deven Ahire’s latest collection of poems called Pheromones is a living testimony to the power of poetry exploring hidden emotions and deepest thoughts lacing it with a rare literary brilliance that only a prodigy of the art can do. Pheromones is a bold and beautiful unveiling of the raw aspect of sensual emotions that is seldom spoken or shared; one which the poet uncannily and conveniently explores, reaching out to the lover in every soul.
Pheromones by Deven is a scintillating attempt at starting conversations about the erotic enigma that engulfs relationships leaving one either satiated or sore, but never done. At its heart, it has human connections, desires, the urge to belong and to be accepted, and the sensual forces that draw people together. Through its title, the book hints at the biological underpinnings of attraction metaphorically representing the varied mesmerizing tones that also enrich relationships. The poet has taken this concept far beyond science, delving into the emotional, psychological, and sometimes mystical realms that define and deepen relationships.
“Let me take you to my side of the dark;
Roll into the black slime I call my heart.
Hang a little light over the place I’ve locked myself into;
Chisel away some rotten bricks into what they call art.“
The poems are surreal yet subtle delving right at the heart of complexities and conveniences in relationships from an intimacy lens, the insecurities and vulnerabilities of being in love and the often unspoken feelings that guide human behavior are also diligently addressed through the power of lyrical writing. The author doesn’t refrain from laying bare the obscure sides of desire such as obsession and addiction, balancing them with lighter moments of tenderness, affection, and the beauty of connection in order to share his own experiences of turbulences in matters of love and the longing for intimacy.
“I whole-heartedly hate well-kept beds;
For they remind me of your absence.”
The subject matter laced with the pristine writing and flow promise to keep one engaged until the end, peeling layers after layers of passion and just how! The rich language and the vivid illustrations will have the reader reminiscing about their own rendezvous with love, advancing onto reveling in the beautiful aftermath of sensual escapades; ones that cast a spell forever. The book aims at transforming the psyche around erotica by eradicating the stigmas and taboos its often associated with and perceiving it amiably and amorously. The verses might feel too taxing to understand if one’s not regular with poetry. Best would be to take time with the book, come back to it when the mood permits.
“If I held you, closed between the pages of my book;
Would you remind me where I was, like you always do?
And be my trail to walk on, thoughts to think,
Words to write, my wine to drink too?”
The book urges undivided attention to fully and fruitfully grasp the notions of sexual intimacy discussed herein. It’s not for mindless reading as the core thoughts and the overall purpose thus, will be lost leaving one unsatisfied and disappointed. The pace is slow and rightly so, as it demands true affection and adherence of the themes so candidly conversed. Some of the crafty pieces such as ‘Sapphire & Salt’, ‘If’, ‘vehemence’, are more than just poems – there’s a heightened sense of relatability and relevance in the verses making them sheer masterpieces of the anthology. Readers would be repeatedly reminded of Whitman, Cummings, and Nin, as the poet marries his words with the most raw, real, and brazen thoughts on love and its derivatives barring nothing. The underlying themes of seasons, seas, sunsets, nature, and the likes add a hypnotic touch with a sophistication that’s rare in our times.
“And when I’m finally as close as I could be;
I’d crack myself open onto him,
Like an erratic cloud;
Thaw his rough edges,
Make him my grave,
And his skin, my shroud.”
Pheromones, just as the name suggests, lingers around longer than one would expect it to, and that makes for a promising masterwork by any writer worth his salt. Deven has proven that he is a master of the art of poetry; someone who’s here to takeover your mind and heart with his poetic and lyrical prowess. Pheromones does more than just delighting a reader’s experience – it persuades to accept oneself and their desires when it comes to the more passionate aspects of relationships and love, on the whole. Cherishing your sensual emotions, worshipping your beloved, and surrendering oneself fully to the cause casting aside all inhibitions and apprehensions, are some of the fragrant notes that will aromatize the lives of the readers.
Author Profile
Deven Ahire is an Indian writer and poet, living in London since 2021. His first book as a poet, titled Transparent, was self-published when he was only 15 years old. His latest book ‘Pheromones’ is a seasoned collection of love poems with a wild twist of erotic themes, and is available worldwide. Deven also has some of his short stories published as a part of anthologies. Beyond the literary world, he is a skilled screenwriter with a career that spans 8 years. His latest short film titled ‘London,Punjab’ for which he wrote the story, screenplay and dialogue, achieved an official screening at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival (France, 2023). Apart from English, he also writes in several other languages that include Marathi, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.
Have you read ‘Pheromones’? What did you think?
