Esha Chaudhuri
For years, the poems existed quietly in the notes app of a mobile phone.
Some were written in a matter of minutes, others took weeks to complete. They were penned in fleeting moments, between work commitments, inside a car, aboard a boat while working at sea, or whenever inspiration surfaced. They remained private, tucked away from the world, until life itself demanded they be shared.
That journey has culminated in Fleeting Solitude, the debut poetry collection by Shillong-born author and creative professional, Caralene Felicia Dkhar, a book that explores reflection, love, loss and self-discovery through deeply personal verse.
Published in March 2026, the collection invites readers to embrace solitude not as loneliness, but as a space where healing and growth quietly take shape.
“Poetry has always been the most honest way for me to express what is sometimes difficult to say aloud,” she says. “Through this collection, I wanted to explore the beauty and complexity of being alone – not as a place of emptiness, but as a space for growth, self-discovery and grace.”
The title itself reflects the essence of the book. The author encapsulates themes such as miracles, acceptance, hurt through the power of the heart and mind shaped by her personal encounters and experiences. Through the collection of poems, Dkhar captures these fragile emotions that pass through us – like whispers that linger briefly before fading into memory.
“The poems explore those brief encounters with ourselves in moments of silence, vulnerability, hope and healing that often pass unnoticed but leave a profound impact,” she explains. “To me, Fleeting Solitude is a reminder that solitude is not always something to escape. Sometimes it is where we find clarity, strength and our most authentic voice.”
While the poems span several years, the decision to publish them came much later. For a long time, they remained untouched, accompanied by self-doubt and uncertainty.
Then came January 2026 – a month that changed everything.
The loss of her mother became a defining moment, reshaping her perspective on life and creativity.
“That’s when I realised life is indeed fleeting,” she says. “I pulled every ounce of courage and decided to publish.”
That deeply personal experience lends emotional depth to the collection, making the poems resonate with readers navigating their own journeys of grief, hope and renewal.
Bringing the manuscript to life was a process marked by careful choices rather than chance. After deciding to publish, she researched several publishers before approaching a select few with her work. One responded positively, and together they carefully curated the collection, selecting 21 poems that best reflected the vision of the book.
Since its release, Fleeting Solitude has been available through BookLeaf Publishing’s website as both a print edition and an e-book. The collection is expected to reach Amazon and other online platforms by August, while already finding readers beyond India through encouraging international sales.
Although writing has now earned her the title of author, literature is only one chapter in an unusually diverse career.
A proud Shillong native and alumna of Pine Mount School, she pursued International Hospitality Management at Napier University, alongside qualifications from Punjab Technical University and Symbiosis, Pune. Dkhar’s professional life has taken her across India and abroad, spending nearly 15 years in human resources and quality management within some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands.
Her career has also extended well beyond hotels. She has worked with FIFA during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, managed a jazz band in Shillong, and established herself as a professional master of ceremonies. More recently, she has embraced freelancing while launching an embroidery studio, combining entrepreneurship with artistic expression.
For her, creativity has never been confined to one medium. In fact her book is her intimate reflection on the beauty found within life’s most tender emotions.
“Writing is a passion I hold close to my heart, but it isn’t my only creative outlet,” she says. “Whether I’m writing a poem or stitching a design, I’m drawn to the same purpose, which is to create something meaningful that resonates with people.”
She also enjoys mentoring young people through guest lectures at colleges and educational institutions, where she shares lessons gathered from years of working across cultures and industries.
Away from work, music and travel continue to inspire her. She enjoys attending live concerts and discovering new places and experiences that often shape her outlook and, in turn, her writing.
Despite publishing her first book only recently, she is already looking ahead.
“I am already working on my second book,” she reveals. “Hopefully, if my publishers like it, it should be out this year as well.”
For an author whose first collection was born in moments that almost went unnoticed, the future seems to promise many more stories waiting to emerge from life’s quiet pauses.
In Fleeting Solitude, Dkhar reminds readers that some of the most meaningful journeys begin not with grand declarations, but with a single line written in silence, and the courage, years later, to let the world read it.
