Young poet Sobulemla Pongen releases debut poetry collection

Young poet Sobulemla Pongen released her debut poetry collection titled ‘Anachronic Love Songs to Alexander Alekhine’ at a programme held at Hotel Japfü here on Saturday.
The book was officially released by pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Church, Dr S. N. Among Jamir, who, in his address, described the occasion as more than a literary gathering, stating that it stood as a testimony to resilience, quiet strength, and the refusal of a creative spirit to remain silent even during difficult times.
Jamir noted that beyond the title and pages, the book reflected a deeply personal journey. He shared that he had met the author on several occasions and had witnessed her courage in navigating life amid physical weakness and uncertainty. He observed that at a time when many might have withdrawn, Pongen chose instead to channel her experiences into writing, making the work particularly meaningful.
In her address, Sobulemla Pongen informed that the book comprised 60 poems inspired by and dedicated to the fourth World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine, whose life and perseverance served as her central inspiration.
She briefly recounted that despite facing war, exile, and personal hardships, Alekhine rose to become world champion and achieved distinction in multiple fields, which motivated her to pursue poetry with similar dedication. She added that the project began with a single poem in 2021 and eventually grew into a full collection.
Pongen stated that as a self-published author, she independently handled the writing, editing, formatting, and even coding of the e-book, while learning the publishing process along the way. She admitted that she had initially questioned the unconventional concept but was encouraged by Alekhine’s words about leaving a lasting legacy.
She informed that the book was divided into three sections—“Songs of Life”, “Songs of Chess”, and “Songs of Love”—featuring mostly rhyming verse along with some experimental pieces. She also noted that the cover was inspired by the final poem depicting a surreal encounter with Alekhine.