On 31st January, Kolkata’s literary space witnessed a deeply moving and refreshingly moment with the unveiling of BITTERSWEET, a debut poetry collection by 16-year-old poet SamaAbedin, marking the arrival of a young voice that dared to articulate emotion without restraint or pretence. Held in the esteemed presence of SeemaSapru, Principal of The Heritage School, along with renowned poets, educators and literary enthusiasts, the event celebrated not just a book launch but the courage of a teenager who chose poetry as her language of self-expression. BITTERSWEET stood out for its emotional depth, sincerity and striking simplicity—qualities rarely seen with such clarity at such a young age.
Written during Sama’s adolescent years, BITTERSWEET captured the rush and confusion of growing up, where love, loss, hope, anger and moments of quiet reflection often existed side by side. The book moved without a fixed structure, much like emotions do in real life —from short couplets to longer free-verse pieces—giving each feeling its own space and allowing readers the time to pause, connect and reflect.
Speaking at the event, SamaAbedin shared, “I didn’t write these poems to sound perfect. I wrote them because I needed somewhere to put everything I was feeling. BITTERSWEET is my way of holding on to those emotions and letting others know they’re not alone in feeling too much.”
The presence of educators and literary voices added warmth and meaning to the afternoon, highlighting the importance of encouraging young people to express themselves creatively. The unveiling of BITTERSWEET naturally opened up honest conversations around growing up, emotional awareness and poetry as a space for self-discovery. By the end of the evening, BITTERSWEET felt less like a debut book and more like a shared emotional experience, with SamaAbedin leaving a quiet yet powerful mark—proving that sincerity, not age, gives writing its depth, and that choosing to be real can be the most moving act of all.