‘Teething’ by Megha Rao

Poetry that will continue to haunt you, long after you’ve finished the book

Published 10.02.22, 06:31 AM

Megha Rao is best known for her podcast – Poems To Calm Down To – which topped Spotify India’s Trending list. Now, this young poet has authored a story in verse, and it is a powerful exploration of love, family and what it truly means to ‘grow up’.

Published by HarperCollins India, Teething follows the character of an older sister, who finds her brother’s suicide note many years after his death, which forces her to confront her past and take a closer look at the family that she grew up in. Rao’s poems carry forward her trademark voice – one that is honest, vulnerable and presents the most complex emotions in the simplest of ways. Impactful, intimate and deeply moving, this book is a testament to the young poet’s storytelling prowess. The vivid descriptions used by the author helps the story unfold almost like a painting. A perfect example would be this description of two siblings running late in the night:

We’re wild things no past can own, chasing dragonflies into the humid dark. We only stop at the beach to buy cheap devil-light crowns, and then race each other again, our heads flashing red, our horns locking, high-pitched laughter shooting into the air like fireworks during the Thrissur Pooram festival.

Replete with such powerful imagery and brimming with a tangle of emotions, Megha Rao’s poetry catches you completely off-guard and manages to tug at your heartstrings in all the right ways.

If you’re the sort who’s constantly on the lookout for books that will sweep you off your feet with its quiet, understated storytelling, Teething promises to hold a place of pride in your collection.

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