Dr Annie  Koshi ( wife of  the late Mathew Koshi)  is a retired professor from the City University of New York ( CUNY ).  She  took her PhD from Columbia  University, New York  in English Literature.  She came to the U.S in the late 60’s as a young graduate student , after  having received her first Masters degree from Kerala University.  She received her 2^nd Master’s from De Paul University Chicago.  She was also the Director  of Women’s Studies  Program  of the City College, New York. She has published  in several scholarly journals and given   academic lectures nationally and internationally.

Dr Koshi’s latest publication REFLECTIONS , a woman’s journey through life experiences , is an inspiring book for all ages.  Her collection of poems is a testimonial to the courage and fortitude of a woman of color who had to face many humiliations in her childhood as well as in adult life because    of her dark color.  Through her poems she tells us how she was able to overcome many obstacles  in her life  with the help of her faith derived from her Christian background namely  FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.  The  color prejudice is so universal and the effects of it is still being felt throughout the world.  She challenges all to look beyond the external appearance and see the inner beauty of  all , especially women who are the      mothers, comforters, consolers, redeemers and enablers. Dr Koshi found forgiveness  as an antidote for the anger that was consuming her like a virus.  The cover page of her book  depicts a woman entering a  lake or a body of water and stretching her hand into the air as if she is declaring her independence from all the shackles of life.  Though some of her poems deal with strong emotions and passions, which normally require words befitting such moments, she has succeeded in expressing the intensity  of such emotions  using milder words. Her  D  Dr Koshi’s life experience  may not be considered  a beautiful one,  she has planted seeds throughout  her life  that blossomed as beautiful flowers by her creative intelligence.

Dr. Koshi’s book  is published by OUTSKIRTS PRESS  and well  done.  She has divided her poems into meaningful  chapters, namely On being born female and dark-skinned,  On Motherhood,   On   Vanished  versus Remained,  On Facing up to Hurdles  of Life,  On Lessons to share,  On a Keepsake,  On Natures Beauty,  On Supernatural Powers,  On a Personal Loss,  On a 9/11 Loss,  On Being American , On Indian-Americans, On Young Indian-Americans and finally On My Old Story.

In “ Ageless Beauty” she has  captured the essence of being a woman in a less than a perfect world  reflecting compassion, hope, love and a spiritual sensibility.  It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of all women, young and old. Her poems end with a call to all immigrants, young and old to nurture the power of their heart, mind and intellect and share the gifts to build a safe and peaceful world.  Reading and rereading these beautiful verses ,the reader can find solutions for their personal problems.

Submitted by Dr. Teresa Antony

Professor  Emeritus, City University of New York   

(The book is available at Amazon.com for $12.90.)