Everyday emotions, captured in verse.
An Author Feature on Randomness of Life
In the fast-moving world of today, where everything is planned, scheduled, and measured, a book like Randomness of Life arrives like a gentle pause. Written by Sumit Bhatia, this collection of prose-poems reminds us that not everything in life needs answers, and not everything needs to be perfect. Sometimes, it is enough just to notice, to feel, and to be present. Through his words, Bhatia celebrates the unnoticed pauses and fleeting emotions that actually make us who we are.
This feature article explores the author, his writing, and his book. We look at the themes, the inspirations, and the journey behind Randomness of Life. More importantly, we understand why this book is not just a collection of poems, but also a companion for every reader who has ever paused to ask what it really means to live.
Who is Sumit Bhatia?
Sumit Bhatia describes himself as a storyteller of the everyday. Unlike writers who chase grand plots or dramatic events, Bhatia looks at the small, delicate, and often invisible moments of daily life. He believes that poetry is hidden in the details—how light falls on a wall, how silence between two people carries meaning, or how joy sometimes arrives quietly without announcement.
He is not only a writer but also a keen observer. Friends and readers often describe him as someone who listens deeply—not only to words but also to the emotions and pauses between them. His sensitivity to the unsaid gives his writing its unique flavour.
For Bhatia, writing is not just about expression; it is about connection. His work tries to capture emotions that many of us feel but rarely articulate. When not writing, he spends time reflecting, observing, and finding meaning in ordinary experiences. Whether it is a walk, a casual conversation, or a quiet moment alone, he draws inspiration from life as it unfolds.
The Birth of Randomness of Life
The title itself tells us a lot about the book. Life, after all, rarely follows a fixed script. It is full of unpredictability—sometimes painful, sometimes beautiful, but always meaningful if we choose to notice. In his introduction, Bhatia writes that the book was “born not from answers, but questions.” This line sets the tone for the whole collection.
The poems in Randomness of Life are not trying to give moral lessons or neat conclusions. Instead, they are moments of reflection—like mirrors where the reader can see themselves. They come from wonder, from witnessing, and from paying attention to details most of us overlook. For example, how a child smells the world through different objects, or how siblings fight over silly things but make peace over a plate of food.
These observations may appear simple, but when written with honesty and tenderness, they hold deep truth. They remind us of childhood innocence, youthful discoveries, the complexities of love, and the quiet strength we find in grief and growth.
Themes in the Book
One of the reasons Randomness of Life connects with so many readers is its wide range of themes. The poems move smoothly across different stages of human experience, like life itself. Some of the key themes include:
1. Childhood and Innocence
Poems like Becoming, Scents and Feels, and We Don’t Measure Time take us back to early years when life felt endless and time was not measured by clocks but by feelings. Through simple yet powerful imagery, Bhatia captures how a child experiences the world—through smell, touch, and wonder.
2. Love in Many Forms
Love in this book is not limited to romance. It is seen in a mother’s lap, in sibling quarrels, in long marriages, and even in grief. In The Storm and the Soil and A Steady Choosing, love is described not as perfection, but as persistence—the act of showing up even when things are hard. In I Married You in Pieces, Not All at Once, Bhatia beautifully writes how marriage is not one big moment but a series of small choices to stay together.
3. Silence and Reflection
Several poems explore the power of silence—its comfort, its questions, and its weight. Where Silence Resides and The Shape of Quiet show how stillness can be both healing and heavy, depending on who we share it with.
4. Grief and Memory
Loss is another important theme. Poems like Somewhere, You Still Listen and A Love with Nowhere to Go describe grief not as something that disappears, but as something that changes form and stays with us. Bhatia writes about grief as love that has no new place to go—a thought that will touch many hearts.
5. Growth and Letting Go
In poems like The Soft Undoing and Understanding, the author talks about growing older—not as a race to become someone new, but as a journey of returning to who we truly are. Growth, in his words, is less about adding and more about letting go of things that no longer serve us.
6. Everyday Beauty
From the taste of grandmother’s pickles to the feel of rain, from the comfort of home walls to the weight of silence, Bhatia shows us how poetry lives everywhere. His writing is proof that everyday life is not ordinary—it is rich with meaning if we pay attention.
Style of Writing
What makes Randomness of Life special is its style. The poems are written in prose-poetry form—which means they read like small stories but carry the rhythm and depth of poetry. They are free-flowing, without rhyme or strict structure, yet each piece carries music and emotion.
The language is simple, but the feelings are profound. Readers do not need to be scholars of literature to enjoy the book. Anyone who has lived, loved, or lost will find something familiar in these lines. The simplicity makes it more relatable, almost like listening to a friend share their deepest thoughts.
Another striking quality of Bhatia’s style is his use of detail. He does not speak in abstract terms but uses small, vivid pictures. For example, instead of just talking about childhood freedom, he writes about “ice cream melting down our wrists” or “chalk drawings that stay until the rain remembers them.” These details create strong images that stay with the reader long after they close the book.
Why This Book Matters
In modern life, people are constantly chasing success, money, and recognition. In such a world, a book like Randomness of Life feels necessary. It slows us down and reminds us of what is real and lasting.
It tells us that it’s okay not to have all the answers. It’s okay to feel lost or unfinished. Life does not need to be perfect to be meaningful. The beauty lies in imperfection, in unpredictability, and in the moments we often overlook.
For readers, this book can be both comforting and eye-opening. Comforting, because it shows that we are not alone in our feelings. Eye-opening, because it encourages us to notice things we usually ignore—the scent of rain, the silence between bells, the way grief lingers, or the joy of a small act of love.
Connecting with Readers
Many readers have shared that they find themselves in these poems. Some revisit their childhood; others remember lost loved ones; some find courage in the idea of trying again even after failure. The book does not preach—it simply holds up a mirror and allows each reader to see their own reflection.
The universality of the themes—love, memory, childhood, grief, and hope—makes this book relatable across age groups and backgrounds. Whether a young student, a parent, or an elder, everyone can find at least one poem that speaks directly to them.
The Author’s Philosophy
At the heart of Bhatia’s writing is a belief: life is not about perfection, but presence. He does not try to give final answers. Instead, he embraces questions, uncertainties, and unfinished stories.
In his words, life rarely goes as planned, but even in its unpredictability, there is grace, connection, and meaning. This philosophy is reflected not only in his poetry but also in his way of seeing the world. For him, writing is not separate from living—it is an extension of how he experiences life.
A Few Memorable Poems
Though the entire collection is powerful, some poems stand out as unforgettable:
- “Becoming” – a dialogue between child, mother, and father, capturing the miracle of birth and first connections.
- “In Between the Bell Rings” – about school life and how the best memories are made not in class but in the little moments between lessons.
- “Are You Eating That?” – a humorous yet touching piece about sibling fights and reconciliations.
- “I Married You in Pieces, Not All at Once” – a moving portrayal of how marriage is built not in one day but in many small acts of love.
- “Somewhere, You Still Listen” – a tender poem about speaking to a loved one who has passed away, believing they are still listening.
- “The Soft Undoing” – about how real growth is not about adding achievements but learning what to let go of.
Each of these poems captures something deeply human and relatable.
The Indian Context
Though the book speaks universally, there are subtle touches of Indian life that make it even more special. Mentions of dadi’s pickles, nani’s house, and everyday family interactions give the poems a homely warmth. Readers in India will instantly connect with these references, while international readers will get a glimpse into Indian cultural experiences of love, family, and memory.
Conclusion
Randomness of Life is not just a book of poems. It is a companion, a mirror, and a gentle teacher. It does not shout for attention but whispers truths that stay in our hearts. Through simple language and honest emotion, Sumit Bhatia has created a work that celebrates the unpredictable beauty of life.
This book matters because it tells us what we often forget: that joy can be found in the smallest of moments, that grief is just another form of love, and that it’s perfectly fine not to have everything figured out. Life, after all, is random—but within that randomness lies meaning.
As readers turn its pages, they are invited not just to read, but to pause, to remember, and to feel. And perhaps, in doing so, they will find the quiet strength in simply being.
