From Science to Poetry: Swarn Gill

Dear Readers,

It is with great please that our Literary Revelations Journal brings you the mesmerizing poetry and recitation of Swarn Gill. The power of Swarn’s metaphors, the aesthetics of his verses, and the philosophy behind them are fabulous. I hope you enjoy this feature.

First, let’s drill into his bio.

Swarn Gill was originally born in Edmonton, Canada. He came to the U.S. for graduate school to pursue his dream of being a meteorology professor. His passion for poetry and writing was rekindled during his PhD. when he realized he had been so focused on one thing that he had neglected other avenues of joy and creativity in his life. Writing enabled him to explore the human condition, reflect on his own life experiences, and capture the beauty of nature through poetry. Initially his journey into writing poetry came from a love of words. The way they dance, play, and flow and the way they sound when spoken aloud.  So he began reciting his favorite poems.

Swarn’s writing is also very much informed by his scientific mind. He believes science and nature are constant sources of art and inspiration and it shows in his prose. He takes pride in weaving it into his poetry and prose when possible, braiding his two passions together. Swarn considers himself more of a storyteller than a poet, always favoring a first-person perspective when he writes. This lends his prose to offer his readers an adopted perspective which allows them journey through his evocative narrative as if it is their own. Though not formally trained in literature, Swarn attributes his growth in his writing ability to a strong, supporting writing community online. Swarn describes the community as “a place of truly remarkable people who have helped him improve his poetry skills greatly.” Swarn spends his days teaching, writing, going on walks in nature, and sharing those moments with his friends and family. Currently, he resides in southwest Pennsylvania with his wife and two sons where he is still very active in the local poetry community.

The Appetite of Time

I have a hunger I am taking your moments nothing you do goes unnoticed your memories sit in my belly, digesting you will never stop feeding me the happy, the sad it is all my nutrition   I have a hunger for your physical attrition My tongue slathering around your ligaments teeth gnawing on your bones my hands pulling down your skin your heart, gripped like a vice between fattened thighs

I have a hunger for the demise of all that’s been made it shall crack and crumble mountains will flatten to plains another extinction so delicious sorry evolution it’s the end of your revolution I shall have things my way   I have a hunger even the universe, my prey stars will blink out like city lights bereft of power I pull and stretch at the very fabric of existence all will be dark and lifeless then it will only be me full and content

In The Beginning…

daytime heat wanes an ape sees a rock red-orange beams soften its hardness   she turns around and for the first time in the existence of this unusual species she cannot communicate her eyes drink the sky and she sits. in silence   in the background she hears day-weary life scurrying to hide for a night’s rest

while simpler beasts prepare watchful eyes peering to take advantage of darkness’ boon   no creature but that ape is gazing at the sunset she knows that the world is both exactly the same and forever changed that there is something special. happening to her   oh, to be there at that moment at the inception of beauty