Reflections Through Verses:
Poetry Volume 1: Reflections by Noor Elven is a reflective modern poetry book. Written by Syed Husain Momin Zaidi. Published by Daastan, Pakistan’s leading publishing house.
It is a collection of poems that covers emotions like love, joy, sorrow, and anger using unique and thoughtful verses.
In this interview with Daastan, Momin Zaidi discusses his book, why he chose to be a poet, & how Daastan helped keep his ideas true while making the final version clean and solid.
Syed Husain Momin Zaidi: The Poet.
Syed Husain Momin Zaidi is an engineer & versatile professional with a rich academic and career history. He is nearly 40 years old & serves as a University placement Counselor along with a Project Management and business strategy advisor, primarily in the engineering sector.
Beyond his professional jobs, he is also a poet, author, and the former founder. But during our conversation, he describes himself as a “ solutionist”. He said.
“Most recently, I can add poet & author to that list. But above all, a self-described solutionist.”
Momin Zaidi has lived on three continents & now stays in Karachi. He started his Ph.D which links Engineering with Management. He values his family, & his morning starts early with his kids, and he works hard until he accomplishes as much as possible.
Besides all that, Zaidi enjoys scuba diving & judo, where he also coaches & teaches.
Even though he achieved many accomplishments in his life, he embraces the idea of lifelong learning.
His latest work, Poetry Volume 1: Reflections, is a collection of poems that capture diverse human experiences, and he is also in the process of compiling some new poetry for future volumes.
The Reflections By Noor Elven.
This collection of poems, “Reflections by Noor Elven,” looks back over a few years. It captures all kinds of emotions, some clear and some not so much. There are poems about many parts of life. They go from falling in love to facing horror or feeling extreme rage. Then there are the deep lows of sorrow, and the high points of joy.
A lot of the writing uses hidden meanings. People who enjoy that kind of thing can dig deeper. It is like chasing ideas into strange places, full of wonder. That is the reason for the title, “Reflections”. Or more exactly, Reflections from the Other Side.
The entire collection fits many aspects of life. No matter how old you are or what challenges you face. There’s probably a poem in the collection that resonates with you.
Why did Momin choose to be a Poet?
Momin Zaidi started writing back in his pre-teens and teenage years. It was a way to deal with all the tough emotions, inner struggles & challenges he was dealing with. He shared.
“I turned to writing as a form of constructively venting my pre-teen & teen angst and frustrations, which mostly stemmed from the structure that governed my life.”
During our conversation, he shared.
“As any child of that age, I needed a way to rebel. Never having been good at writing prose, I turned to music genres that were quite out of the box for my parents.”
As time went on, he started writing his own lyrics, but he realized that he was not allowed to share or perform them with the bands he knew. This led him toward poetry, shaping a style that does not always follow strict rhyme, meter, or structure.
He has a lot of respect for classic poets. Names like Wordsworth, Tennyson, Rumi in translation, and Milton come to mind. Still, Zaidi picked his own path. He said
“I just needed to walk my own path and explore the way poetry made words dance.”
Daastan’s Role in Making “Reflections” Reach Every Reader.
Poetry Volume 1: Reflections by Noor Elven is published by Daastan, Pakistan’s leading publishing platform, dedicated to supporting national & international authors.
Daastan guides authors through the challenges of publishing.
Momin Zaidi’s Experience With Daastan In His Own Words.
When we asked about his experience with Daastan, Zaidi said,
“All publishers offer support, but Daastan stands out by truly listening to authors.
He explained.
To provide context, my poems were written down, compiled, and I had a vague idea about the presentation or the final product. The editor walked me through the process step by step. He said.
“Mariam Rizvi shared the possibilities and, with the help of Anum Ameer, brought the cover to life.”
The manuscript was accepted the way I described it and wanted it to look.
“Ms Rizvi suggested some improvements without changing the content, and I believe this is the most important part.”
“I accepted those changes because they genuinely showed sincere care towards my work. Where other publishers and editors would have modified my work, Ms Rizvi and Daastan actually took a look at the work, appreciated it, and discussed with me the changes and possibilities.
This process was so streamlined and smooth, I had the manuscript ready, a tentative design idea ready, and they made it come to life without me having to spend months on finding the artist, etc.”
At the end of this conversation, Momin Zaidi shared a message for the other authors.
“If anyone has a manuscript, I would recommend they work with Daastan because of their professionalism, speed, and genuine care for the author and content.”
Lessons From Reflections.
When asked about the lessons readers can take from Reflections, Momin Zaidi said.
“Now and then, we all need someone other than our own inner voice to tell us objectively about ourselves. This book does exactly that. It reflects your soul on the page in front of you, sheds light on dark corners, and stokes the embers to set them alight once more.
Life is not easy, but we don’t need to make it more complicated than it already is. This reflection is all we need to start taking action for a better outcome, and this collection of poetry provides that reflection.”
Momin’s Message for Readers.
“Among the pages of this book, you will discover that life is not just greener than the bleak greys of the modern world, but that it is meant to be lived. Life cannot be spent trapped in the prison of our own minds or caught in the endless race to make ends meet.
Instead of merely existing, you are meant to live, to experience, and to share. Let Poetry Volume 1: Reflections by Noor Elven be your guide on this wonderful journey of life on the third rock from the sun.”
Investing in a new writer is always a risk, but Daastan took that leap of faith and showed me “Ek Kiran Andheron Mein” and gave me a “Shanakht” as a writer.
I’m truly grateful for the opportunities and guidance Daastan provided me, from encouraging to mentoring and publishing. For me it’s more than just a platform—it’s a place where new writers find their voice and recognition. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wishes to begin or enrich their writing journey.
Their team is super supportive and professional. They walked me through every step of the process, from editing to printing, and even helped me with marketing. I’ve heard amazing things about their work, and I’m not surprised – they’re clearly passionate about what they do.
What I love about Daastan is their inclusive approach. They’re all about empowering emerging writers, and it shows in the quality of their publications. I’ve recommended them to friends and fellow writers, and I’ll continue to sing their praises!
If you’re thinking of publishing your work, look no further. Daastan is the way to go!
I have worked with many publishers in Pakistan, of which Daastan tops among independent publishers on account of transparency, quality and earlier response.
Their publishing process was exceptionally smooth and reassuring. After I registered, Narmeen, their consultant and editor, handled my manuscript with remarkable professionalism, guiding me through every stage with clarity and patience. With their support, I successfully published two books: Love, Lucknow aur Lahore, which received immense appreciation, and a short story titled Gol Roti.
What truly elevates Dastaan is the authenticity of their team. Ommar, Narmeen, and every member of their staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in my growth as a writer. Their encouragement turned what could have been a daunting experience into an inspiring milestone in my creative journey.
As a first-time author venturing into the literary world with both excitement and hesitation, I could not have found a better publishing partner than Daastan Pvt Ltd. Under the thoughtful leadership of Syed Omar Amer, the team at Daastan was unwaveringly supportive, responsive, and professional, guiding me with care and insight through every step of the publishing process. Their facilitation turned what could have been an intimidating journey into one marked by encouragement and trust.
The quality of the finished product speaks for itself – readers and recipients of my books consistently comment on the exceptional standard of printing and presentation, especially preservation of the design colours. The books look and feel beautiful in the hand, which has enhanced both their reach and reception. For any author, whether stepping into print for the first time or seasoned in the craft, I wholeheartedly recommend Daastan as a go-to publisher and printer. They are capable, creative, and above all, committed to the stories their authors want to tell. I am truly delighted that I found my way to them.
Dr Haroon Awan
