How I See You by Mayur Rathod is a quiet, intimate poetry collection that feels less like a book and more like an exchange—an ongoing conversation shaped by attention, presence, and emotional honesty. What makes this work stand apart is its organic origin. These poems were not written to fit a theme or fulfill a structure; they emerged naturally, poem by poem, as reflections formed in the flow of human interaction. That spontaneity gives the collection its soul. The poems breathe, pause, and observe rather than perform.
Each poem functions as a lens, offering a personal way of seeing another person without polishing the edges. Rathod does not chase idealized imagery or dramatic declarations. Instead, he lingers on the subtle: a pause between words, the weight of silence, the warmth hidden in ordinary moments. The writing captures how connection is often built not through grand gestures but through attentiveness—through noticing what is usually left unspoken. There is a gentle vulnerability throughout the collection, an openness that allows readers to feel as though they are witnessing something real rather than something constructed.
The language is simple yet emotionally resonant, allowing meaning to arise from restraint. Rathod understands that poetry does not always need complexity to be profound. Many of the poems rely on what is left unsaid, inviting the reader to sit with their own interpretations and memories. In this way, the collection becomes collaborative—not only between poet and subject, but between poet and reader. As the poems unfold, it is easy to find oneself thinking of someone who once looked at us with that same quiet understanding, or someone we wished we had seen more clearly.
A defining strength of How I See You is its emotional honesty. The poems do not romanticize connection; they acknowledge shadows alongside light. There is beauty in affection, but also weight in absence, misunderstanding, and silence. This balance gives the collection authenticity and depth, making it relatable to readers who have experienced love and connection in all their imperfect forms.
Knowing Rathod’s background as an Information Technology Consultant adds an interesting contrast to his poetic voice. His professional life, rooted in structure and strategy, stands in gentle opposition to the intuitive, reflective nature of his writing. This duality seems to inform his poetry, lending it both clarity and emotional intelligence. His previous recognition for Echoes of the Soul sets high expectations, and How I See You meets them by offering a more intimate, inward-looking experience.
Ultimately, this book is less about being seen by the poet and more about learning how to see—others and ourselves—with honesty and care. It leaves the reader with a lingering sense of connection and the quiet reminder that being truly seen is one of the rarest and most meaningful human experiences.