Review of "In the Labyrinth of Time" by Aswathy K Babu

Aswathy K Babu's poem, In the Labyrinth of Time, is a poignant and evocative exploration of memory, aging, and the inexorable passage of time. Written with a delicate yet piercing sensitivity, the poem captures the essence of a woman navigating the fading echoes of her past while grappling with the weight of oblivion. As a Keralite nursing professional, Babu infuses her work with a quiet empathy, perhaps drawn from her experiences in caregiving, which lends the poem an authentic and deeply human resonance.

In the Labyrinth of Time

Her memories grew vague as time turned its wheels. Like a cloud, her girlhood darted into the dungeon of forgetfulness.

The softness of her face had diminished. Under the weight of grey, a sheer oblivion stretched its arms.

In a corner, just within reach, her books yearned for her. The whispers of margin notes breathed life into those latent pages.

The walls held photographs painted with hopeful smiles and stories of wonder. Seemingly, the forgotten lanes induced a familiar twitch— a feeble sigh that stirred her senses.

From dawn to dusk, she strode through rooms like a ghost of her past, finding ways where once she bloomed—and faded.

In the labyrinth of time, she stood, immemorial.

Thematic Depth

The central theme of the poem is the erosion of memory and identity under the relentless march of time. Babu uses the metaphor of a "labyrinth" to depict time as a complex, disorienting space where the protagonist—presumably an aging woman—wanders, caught between fleeting recollections and encroaching forgetfulness. The imagery of "grey" and "oblivion" underscores the physical and mental toll of aging, while the "dungeon of forgetfulness" vividly portrays memory loss as a place of confinement and loss. Yet, the poem is not merely melancholic; it subtly celebrates the persistence of the human spirit, as the protagonist continues to "stride through rooms" and respond to "familiar twitches" that stir her senses.

The poem also touches on the tension between past and present selves. The protagonist's "girlhood" and "hopeful smiles" are relics of a vibrant past, now distant and fragmented. Babu skillfully juxtaposes these with the present, where the woman moves "like a ghost of her past," suggesting a spectral existence defined by what once was. This interplay creates a universal narrative that resonates with readers who have witnessed or experienced the slow fading of vitality in themselves or loved ones.

Imagery and Language

Babu’s use of imagery is one of the poem’s strongest features. Lines like “Like a cloud, her girlhood / darted into the dungeon / of forgetfulness” evoke a sense of ephemerality and loss, with the cloud symbolizing something fleeting and intangible. The personification of inanimate objects—books that “yearn” for her, margin notes that “breathe life,” and walls that “hold photographs painted with hopeful smiles”—adds a layer of intimacy, suggesting that the protagonist’s past is still alive in her surroundings, even if she struggles to connect with it. These images create a rich, sensory experience that immerses the reader in the protagonist’s world.

The language is economical yet lyrical, striking a balance between accessibility and poetic sophistication. Phrases like “sheer oblivion stretched its arms” and “a feeble sigh that stirred her senses” are particularly evocative, blending emotional weight with vivid physicality. The poem’s structure, with its short, fragmented lines, mirrors the disjointed nature of memory, reinforcing the thematic core through form.

Emotional Impact

The emotional tone of In the Labyrinth of Time is one of quiet sorrow tempered by resilience. Babu avoids sentimentality, allowing the protagonist’s experience to speak for itself. The image of the woman standing “immemorial” at the poem’s close is particularly powerful, suggesting a timeless endurance despite the ravages of time. This understated strength makes the poem relatable and moving, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships with memory and mortality.

Cultural and Contextual Resonance

As a Keralite poet, Babu’s work may carry subtle cultural undertones, though the poem remains universally accessible. The domestic setting—rooms, photographs, books—evokes a life rooted in personal and perhaps familial history, a theme that aligns with Kerala’s strong emphasis on family and tradition. The nursing profession, while not explicitly mentioned in the poem, may inform Babu’s compassionate portrayal of vulnerability, reflecting the dignity she likely extends to her patients in her professional life.

Critique

While the poem is compelling, a minor critique could be that some metaphors, such as “the weight of grey memories,” might feel slightly familiar within the broader canon of poetry about aging. However, Babu’s precise and vivid execution ensures these images remain effective. Additionally, the poem could have delved deeper into the protagonist’s emotional response to her agency in reclaiming her past, which might have added further complexity to her character. Nevertheless, the poem’s brevity is part of its strength, leaving room for readers to project their own interpretations.

In the Labyrinth of Time is a beautifully crafted poem that weaves together memory, loss, and resilience with remarkable grace. Aswathy K Babu’s lyrical voice and vivid imagery create a haunting yet hopeful meditation on the human condition, making this work a standout piece that lingers in the reader’s mind. It is a testament to her ability to find poetry in the quiet struggles of everyday life, offering a universal reflection on what it means to endure within the labyrinth of time. This poem would resonate deeply with readers who appreciate introspective, emotionally nuanced poetry, and it marks Babu as a poet of considerable sensitivity and skill.