Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUN 19 (NPN): PenThrill Publication released its 122nd title “I Think to Myself”, a collection of poetry by young Naga writer Menang Longkumer, at The Book Home, Billy Graham Road, Kohima, on June 19. The programme was chaired by Angel Raikhan.
Delivering a special remark, noted author and poet Avinuo Kire described the collection as “simple, straightforward and profound,” mentioning that the title aptly reflects the nature of the poems. She said the work is a poignant blend of candid, vulnerable and whimsical reflections on life, nature and the beauty found in ordinary experiences. Kire emphasized that poetry remains especially relevant in today’s fractured world, serving as a moral compass that encourages introspection and wise action.
Sharing the publisher’s note, PenThrill founder Rita Krocha said the book marks another milestone in the literary journey of a promising young voice in contemporary Naga literature. She recalled working with Longkumer on his debut Besought Grit in 2024 and praised his reflective depth and passion. Krocha highlighted his internship with PenThrill and contribution to The StoryKeeper Book of Mothers anthology earlier this year, describing him as humble and grounded. The collection carries a foreword by acclaimed poet Emisenla Jamir.
In his author’s note, Longkumer said the poems emerged from silence, reflection and self questioning, not as a search for definitive answers but as an invitation to pause and engage with questions and memories. He explained that the recurring phrase “I think to myself” represents quiet inward conversations where doubts and meaning unfold. Drawing from ancestral stories and changing realities, the poems explore themes of belonging, nostalgia, questioning and self discovery.
Quoting Aza Holmes from John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down — “I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am” — Longkumer reflected on the value of uncertainty and introspection, suggesting that questions and doubts are essential parts of the human experience. He said the collection is ultimately a gathering of memories, observations and reflections, reminding readers that sometimes it is enough to pause and simply think to oneself.