What does it mean for a person to truly live? To dream, to push through the hardships and rise above them, triumphant? It is this age-old question that is pondered at the heart of Hush of the Aeons: An Anthology of Reflection, by poets Suchithra ‘Kitsune’ Withanage and Amirun Boangé. This anthology, written from the heart and soul, is not a mere collection of poetry but a philosophical musing on the human spirit, reflecting on vulnerability that is deeply human.
The anthology holds two distinctive voices, quite different from each other, yet similar in their take on the human experience. Kitsune, a lawyer and animal rights activist, brings to his verses a sharp intellectual depth, entwining his professional insights with ideas of liberty, justice, and the yearning for freedom. Amirun, who has lived with the complications of lifelong polio, writes with extraordinary grace and authenticity, transforming her personal struggles into works of rare beauty and inspiration. Their voices, born from different eras, fall together to form a dialogue that creates an impact across generations and cultures.
Despite the challenges, the gifted poet Amirun Boangé has secured a place in an upcoming anthology of new poems to be published by the United States National Library of Poetry, displaying her unconquerable spirit. Her deeply personal entry, which was titled Amirun, an autobiographical piece, received unanimous acclaim from the editors of the distinguished anthology Best Poets of 1995, earning her a place among the elite group that had been selected for the prestigious Best of the Best Poets list compiled by the U.S. National Library of Poetry.
Amirun previously married renowned sculptor-artist Mohamed Yaseen Yasantha Boange. One of her earlier works, published under his name, was featured in the National Library of Poetry’s 1994 anthology, A Far Off Place, and advanced as a semi-finalist in their annual contest. It was also selected for a special audio collection of ten poems, Sound of Poetry. Her poetic prowess later earned her a nomination for membership in the esteemed International Society of Poets.
She also received the Editor’s Choice Award from the National Library of Poetry for her poignant piece D.I.N. (Disabled In-Need), featured in the 1993 anthology Whispers in the Wind. These works reveal Amirun’s remarkable ability to capture resilience and profound emotion, transforming deeply personal experiences into universal reflections on strength and endurance.
Suchithra Withanage, introduced in the anthology as ‘Kitsune,’ is equally compelling in his contributions to the anthology. A lawyer, writer, and ardent human and animal rights activist, Kitsune is a scholar of impressive breadth, holding three master’s degrees with distinction from prestigious institutions, including the University of London, the University of West London, and the University of the West of England, Bristol.
In addition to his legal career, Kitsune has also been a passionate promoter of continuous professional development, maintaining memberships and associations in several Chartered Professional Institutions in the United Kingdom. Currently pursuing doctoral studies in international business management, he has published widely in academic journals and aims to author both legal volumes and imaginative fiction, perhaps mythological in nature, in his free time.
Kitsune’s poetry combines professional insight with lyrical sensitivity; it is a take on ideas of justice, liberty, human dignity, and the rejection of unchecked power. His verses seem to mirror the ever-present struggle to achieve freedom and fairness, following in the steps of the countless number of prodigious poets who have used their writing to urge social reform. In the preface of the anthology, Kitsune, or Withanage, looks back on where it all began, with a love for poetry and literature nurtured by his father. And so it seems apparent how words could worm their way into people, leaving an impact on them, making them strive to truly live and breathe and dream.
Hush of the Aeons is remarkable in its diversity, with the poets experimenting with multiple forms of poetry, ranging from haiku and free verse to allegorical narratives and lyrical compositions. The variety makes way for readers to encounter fresh rhythms and perspectives with every page. While some poems confront themes of sorrow and resilience, others invite readers into spaces of ethereal beauty and quiet reflection.
The anthology reflects on universal human experiences such as love and loss, fleeting joys, and enduring struggles through its vivid imagery and encapsulating narrations. Poems such as Sorrow and Amnesty strip down to the rawness of pain, while works like Shadowfall meditate on hope and transcendence.
The profits made through the anthology’s sale are also being donated to endeavors focused on animal rights protection in Sri Lanka, making sure every copy plays a part in both literature and consideration for animals.
Hush of the Aeons: An Anthology of Reflections offers a deeply vulnerable take on poetry, philosophy, and the human condition, beautifully proving itself to be a true testament to poetry’s ability to make us feel.
