On Ri Hossain: A Synthesis of Materialism and Surrealism
In the discourse of blending materialistic and surrealist thoughts in poetry, Ri Hossain (known professionally as Iqbal Hossain) stands as a distinctive modern voice. His poetry captures the harsh realities of contemporary urban life while simultaneously employing surreal imagery and timeless traditions to transcend those very realities.
The Materialist Lens: Reflection of Reality In Ri Hossain’s work, we observe the reflection of contemporary unrest, mechanization, and global crises. As an entrepreneur and a busy professional, he has witnessed the rugged facets of society firsthand, which manifests in his writing as ‘objective truth.’ His poems frequently depict the struggles of the common man and the erosion of moral values. His choice of words is often modern and direct—a key characteristic of materialist philosophy.
The Surrealist Dimension: Beyond the Visible However, he does not limit himself to objective descriptions. His poetry often crosses the boundaries of the visible world to create a mysterious realm of the subconscious. He utilizes imagery that transports the reader away from reality toward a transcendental sensation. Many critics identify this as ‘Modern Sufism’ or ‘Surreal Spirituality.’ In many of his poems, words do not merely convey literal meanings but create a surrealistic atmosphere where the past, present, and future merge into one.
The Bridge Between Two Worlds Ri Hossain’s specialty lies in his ability to bridge these two streams. This synthesis operates on several levels: * Universal Appeal: When his personal emotions (surreal) align with impersonal social truths (materialism), his poetry attains a universal dimension. * Depth of Expression: By presenting life’s inconsistencies through a surrealist lens, he makes them far more poignant and profound than simple descriptions would allow.
Global Reach and Significance His poems have been translated into various languages, including English, Spanish, and Albanian, proving that his integrated poetic style resonates with international audiences. He has successfully transformed ‘indigenous reality’ into a ‘surrealistic global language.’
Conclusion Ri Hossain’s contribution to this trend of Bengali poetry is significant for several reasons. By utilizing Free Verse, he ensures the intellectual freedom necessary for surreal expression. Moving beyond conventional styles, he has carved out a unique niche by wrapping materialist social thought in a shroud of spiritual and surreal philosophy.
In short, Ri Hossain’s poetry does not merely speak of the earth; rather, it maps the surreal landscape of the subconscious mind and the universal soul rooted deep within that earth.
You are the seasons that I am grateful to live. Your heart is a field of wildflowers; I explore in the spring. And you hand me the first yellow leaves of the forsythia, then when in bloom you brush my cheek with the white light of the Queen Ann’s lace.
Beloved, when your arms open, they are my shelter from the rain that pummels the shed. In summer, after I sit in the sand, my heated body embraced by your cool ocean turquoise body. I float on my back, flip, and float again on my back. Your heart, a warm spoon to my mouth feeds me figs, mulberries, raspberries stirred in oats at morning when the sun rises. It’s the golden drizzle of honey I savor on my tongue as October winds scatter orange, and plum-colored leaves in the pond. Does your heart remember the silence of winter? I recall the way you turn up my palms to hold generous quiet snowflakes. Thank you beloved for chiming my heart with warmth of your eyes.
Carrying The Cherry Blossoms
Rosa steps on the six o’clock train traveling North alongside the river. Her window seat is perfect for her brown eyes that now belong to the ripples riding on the breeze, the occasional willow, and the mauve clouds crawling behind linked mountains. The train pauses at the Delmara Station picking up more passengers heading home after work. Rosa tucks a strand of curly hazelnut hair behind her ear and closes her eyes. Sounds of birds rush in as the doors close. She keeps her eyes shut when the stirring in her belly starts as if butterflies are taking off in a field of wildflowers. Her hands grip the handle of the small black suitcase in her lap, touching both sides of her thighs. In it, her daughter Clara’s favorite white silk dress, painted with pink blossoms on branches. When Clara was six years old, she walked barefoot under the cherry trees leaving her footprints on their roots. Look Mom, I’m helping them grow, she said, each time she circled them. At the picnic for her twenty-first birthday last year, Rosa recalls her glowing neckline in the sun.
The dress sitting at edge of her shoulders, sleeves at length of her mocha elbows. Rosa’s face and lips tremble with the image of Clara’s feet once again tip-toeing over roots. The train departs for her stop at Willow Kill. She reopens her eyes, the sky has an indigo hue, the half-moon has cast a silver shine on the river’s ripples. The train pulls into the station. Rosa’s heartbeat quickens like legs of horses galloping fast, kicking up dust behind them. Doors slide apart. She’s off the train before any other passengers push past her. Stepping onto the platform in the open moist air, an unexpected drizzle begins. Rosa’s face tingles. She walks down the stairs of the station hurrying to find a taxi. She looks up. Clouds shield the moon. A navy-blue Toyota pulls forward in front of her from the line of cars waiting for passengers. The driver leans across to the open window. Need a taxi? he asks. Rosa nods yes. Can I help you with your suitcase? I can put it in the trunk? Rosa clutches the handle, No thanks, I need it by my side. The silk cherry blossom dress for Clara’s wake flashes in her mind.
Jerrice J Baptiste is an artist, poet, author of nine books. Her most recent book titled, Coral in The Diaspora published by Abode Press (August 2024). She’s been nominated three times for a Pushcart Prize by The Poetry Distillery in 2026, Jerry Jazz Musician 2024 & Abode Press 2025, and as Best of The Net in 2022 by Blue Stem. Her writing has been published or is forthcoming in Mantis, Neologism Poetry Journal, The Write Launch, The Banyan Review, The Yale Review, The Lake, Artemis Journal and hundreds of others. Her watercolor drawings on paper have been accepted or forthcoming in Synchronized Chaos, Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine, MER, Saugerties Shout Out, Las Laguna Art Gallery exhibit in California, Spirit Fire Review. Jerrice has presented her art work at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, in June 2025. She’s been featured twice as a solo artist in 2025 & 2026 in an art exhibit at The Mountaintop Library in Tannersville, NY. She facilitates poetry as a returning teaching artist at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. Her poems & collaborative songwriting are featured on the Grammy nominated album-Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti.
(DOB 07/06/1973) is a passionate Indian Author-cum- bilingual poet while a tremendous Asst Professor of English by profession in the Ganjam district of Odisha. He is an accomplished source of inspiration for young generation of India. His free verse on Romantic and melancholic poems appreciated by everyone. He belongs to a small typical village Nandiagada of Ganjam District,the state of Odisha.After schooling he studied intermediate and Graduated in Kabisurjya Baladev vigyan Mahavidyalaya then M A in English from Berhampur University PhD in language and literature and D. Litt from Colombian poetic house from South America.
He promotes his specific writings around the world literature and trades with multiple stems that are related to current issues based on his observation and experiences that needs urgent attention. He is an award-winning writer who has achieved various laurels from the circle of writing worldwide. His free verse poems not only inspire young readers but also the ready of current time. His poetic symbol is right now inspiring others, some of which are appreciated by laurels of India and across the world. Many of his poems been translated in different Indian languages and got global appreciation. Lots of well wishes for his upcoming writings and success in future.
He is an award-winning poet author of many best seller books. Recently he was awarded Rabindra nath Tagore and Gujarat Sahitya Academy for the year 2022 from Motivational Strips. Jaidev Puraskar from Kavita Minar Badamba Cuttack A gold medal from world union of poets France & winner Of Rahim Karims world literary prize 2023.The government of Odisha Higher Education Department appointed him as a president to Governing body of Padmashree Dr Ghanashyam Mishra Sanskrit Degree College, Kabisurjyanagar. Winner of ” HYPERPOEM ” GUNIESS WORLD RECORD 2023.Recently he was awarded at the SABDA literary Festival at Assam. Highest literary honour from Peru contributing world literature 2024.Prestigious Cesar Vellejo award 2024 & Highest literary honour from Peru. Director at Samrat Educational charitable Trust Berhampur, Ganjam Odisha.
Vicedomini of the World Union of Poets, Italy. UHE awarded him the prestigious Golden Eagle award for his contributions to world literature in 2025.
Completed 257 epistolary poems with American poet Kristy Raines.
Bharat Seva Ratna National award 2025, International Glory award from Manam Foundation Hyderabad Telengana. On the eve of the 1979 Independence Day celebration he earned the Rashtra Ratna award & Maa Bharati Seva Sammana. In 2025 he received a doctorate in Humanity and Literature from Theophany University in Haiti with UNESCO, AEADO and the leaders of Autonomy International. The Prince of Crimea and the Golden Horde from the House of Genghis Khan gave him the prestigious title of “Honorary Bey.”
Received Sahitya Ratnakar from New Delhi 2025, Honorary Doctorate from RMF University collaborated with east and west university Florida United States of America on the eve of International Peace Day. Prestigious THE CONDOR OF ANDES from UHE Mexico 2025. PRESTIGIOUS DOCTORATE from VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF CULTURE AND WORLD PEACE 2025. Nominated for Padmashree 2025. Three-time Gold from the world Union of Poets France. Doctorate from Theophany university Haiti contribution for the world literature 2025. SAHITYA RATNAKAR from New Delhi. Dr. Mayadhar Mansigh Saraswat Samman 2025. Doctorate in Gandhian Philosophy, Peace and Humanity 2025.
Doctorate from Victoria University for Peace 2026. UHE of Peru appointed him as a World Ambassador for Peace and Justice 2026.Valiant of the Nation Award 2026 on the eve of the 129th birthday commemoration for Subash Chandra Bose.
INTERNATIONAL BOOKS
1.Psalm of the Soul 2. Rise of New Dawn 3. Secret Of Torment 4. Everything I Never Told You. 5.Vision Of Life National Library Kolkata 6.100 Shadows of Dream 7. Timeless Anguish 8. Voice of Silence 9.I Cross my Heart from East to West and epistolary poetry with Kristy Raines, published in USA.
They are eager to create a good impression at work.
They are eager to create what you see, what you look, what you spark.
It is important to create from experience, from the mind of creative person.
They may have a scattered cognition.
They may seem like weirdos but the sacrifice makes it a real and accurate.
They create the television we watch and enjoy.
They never abnegate themselves.
They use their strategies to create something purposes.
They have effulgence lighting the way they create.
They perfect work with courage and forte
Their strength, their patience and their determination to see they accomplish and attain their work.
Their strength help them to appear self-important and self brain work.
They have determination to create something on the earth.
We leave some of our culture to follow someone trails for seeking refuge to achieve our dreams.
Our culture is the key to success and creativity adds something to it.
They change the world with what they create.
Their ideas bring light where there was no light.
They inspire others to dream on act from their courage.
New hope is freshness.
And follow culture and creatives is the life.
“Ummusalma Nasir Mukhtar is a Nigerian poet with a passion for words that transcend pages. Born to Nasir Mukhtar and Rahma Muhammad, she’s nurtured a dream of becoming an English literature professor, inspiring others with the power of language. With siblings Hauwa’u (Jidda) and Zainab (Inteeser) – a budding computer professional – Ummusalma’s journey is a tapestry of creativity and ambition. Her published works, ‘Ink Beneath My Skin’, ‘Shadows of My Voice’, and ‘Sun Rise’, echo her voice, weaving tales of experiences and emotions. With each line, she steps closer to sharing her unique perspective with the world.”
