The aura and promise of poetry lies in a feature which is both its strength and weakness; there is always a small gap between what the poet means and what the reader understands, a lot more so than in fiction. But eventually each poem means what you can make out of it – and in Sui, Michael Indemaio weaves the mosaic of his life in a cerebral simplicity that lets you make it your own.

Sui is Indemaio’s first full-length book of poetry and showcases 116 of his poems. The tone of the collection is introspective, and the poems are written in a passionate, witty style with an energy that is not lost on the reader. Also, while the poems are diverse both in style and themes – some written in verse, others in prose - they seem united by a certain seeking for redemption and a knowing that redemption is yours the moment you wish to claim it.

The disconnectedness of modern urban life, empathy and its lack thereof, the process of making Art, lovers and their dynamics are some of the themes of the poems. Indemaio is at his best in some of the shorter creations, while poems like "City numbers," "Growing Pains," "Apology" and "Small Talk" stand out owing to their luminous treatment. Still, while Sui is a collection that is full of promise, it is peppered with raw poems that should not have gotten the green signal and would have perhaps served better as milestones on the path of creativity. Nevertheless, a good read for all the intermittent charm and insights.