By George Kommattam
Kozhikode, August 1, 2026: In a world filled with conflict, loneliness, and uncertainty, poetry that makes us stop and reflect has a special value.
Abhilash Fraizer’s Father: A Collection of Poems is one such work. It is a thoughtful journey through faith, human struggles, hope, and our relationship with God and creation.
The book, which won the Bronze Medal at the North American Catholic Media Association Book Awards in 2024, draws inspiration mainly from the Bible and Christian traditions.
But Fraizer does not simply repeat familiar stories. He enters the minds and hearts of Biblical characters and explores their fears, failures, dreams, and moments of transformation.
Through these characters, ancient stories become connected to people’s experiences today.
The poet brings new depth to figures such as Peter, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, and Saint Francis of Assisi.
They are not presented as distant religious figures but as human beings who struggle with guilt, loneliness, faith, and the search for meaning.
One of the most moving poems in the collection is “The Tears of a Rock,” which reflects on Peter’s denial of Christ.
Instead of only describing the event, Fraizer explores Peter’s inner pain and regret.
“Once you called me ‘The Rock’;
Now, every rock on earth mocks me!”
These lines express the sorrow of a person who discovers his own weakness.
Peter’s story becomes a reflection of every human being who has faced failure but hopes for forgiveness and renewal.
Another powerful poem, “The Fiery Touch,” presents the story of the woman healed after touching Jesus’ cloak.
Fraizer transforms this Biblical moment into a reflection on suffering, isolation, and the power of faith.
The woman’s physical pain becomes a symbol of the invisible wounds carried by many people.
Nature is another important element in the collection.
Rain, rivers, soil, stones, and the sky appear throughout the poems. They are not just images but symbols of sorrow, grace, healing, and our connection with the world around us.
The title poem, “Father,” is the emotional centre of the book.
Written from the perspective of Saint Francis of Assisi, it reflects on his rejection by his earthly father and his discovery of a greater relationship with God, the universal Father.
The poem also carries a strong message about the environment
Fraizer reminds readers that humanity is deeply connected with nature and that caring for creation is part of spiritual responsibility.
In “Sandals from Eternity,” the poet uses the sandals of Christ as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and the journey of faith.
In “In the Well of Dreams,” Joseph’s suffering and betrayal become moments that lead toward growth and a greater purpose.
Although the collection is rooted in Christian spirituality, its themes are universal. It speaks about human struggles that people everywhere understand – pain, forgiveness, hope, and the search for belonging.
Father requires slow reading because many poems are symbolic and reflective. It is not a book to rush through but one to revisit and contemplate.
Fraizer’s collection is ultimately a meditation on what it means to be human.
Through Biblical stories and poetic imagination, he reminds readers that despite our differences, we share a common longing for love, healing, and connection.
For those who enjoy spiritual poetry and reflective literature, Father offers a meaningful and enriching reading experience.
(Photo supplied)