Between Fuel Stops and Feelings by Madhurima is a heartfelt collection of poems about life, loneliness, travel, memories, relationships, and finding yourself again. The book is presented as a poetic journey of Shimo—from “his” experiences to “you”—and is dedicated to someone who clearly holds a special place in the author’s heart.
What makes this book interesting is the way it connects travel with emotions. Roads, highways, mountains, forests, motorcycles and fuel stops are not just physical places in these poems. They become symbols of life, change, escape, healing and self-discovery.
The book begins with Between the Cliff and the Chair, immediately introducing the reader to a world of inner conflict. The poems often speak about things that are difficult to say aloud—missing someone, feeling alone, carrying old memories and trying to move forward. The writing is personal, but many of these emotions are easy to relate to.
One of the strongest aspects of the collection is its honesty. Poems such as The Way to Keep Loving, I Called It Noise, Now I Call It Missing, A Stranger, What a Joy, and In Between the Noise explore different forms of emotional pain. There is no attempt to make everything sound perfect. Instead, the poems allow sadness, confusion and vulnerability to exist alongside hope.
Travel is another recurring theme throughout the book. In poems like Ashes Beneath the Highway, Highways Don’t Show Mercy, Airplane Mode, The Whole World As Home, and From the Desk of a Man Who Drives Away, movement becomes a way of understanding life. The road represents both freedom and uncertainty. Sometimes the character is running away; at other times, he is simply trying to find his way back to himself.
Nature also has an important place in the collection. Mountains, rivers, wind, forests and open skies appear repeatedly. They give the poems a sense of space and calm. The motorcycle, especially, becomes more than a vehicle—it feels like a companion through the journey. This connection between man, machine and nature gives the book its own identity.
The Foreword also helps explain the larger idea behind the collection. It talks about closure, unanswered questions, unexpected departures and the difficult roads that teach us to endure. The book does not present loneliness simply as something negative. Instead, it looks at solitude as something that can sometimes lead to understanding and courage.
The Dedication is perhaps one of the most personal parts of the book. Madhurima describes a man who loves nature, rides a bike, finds freedom on the road and lives life on his own terms. The dedication makes it clear that Shimo is not simply a fictional name but the inspiration behind this poetic journey.
Another beautiful feature of the book is its visual presentation. The illustrations complement the writing and strengthen the feeling of being on a long road trip. The cover, featuring a lone rider surrounded by mountains, immediately establishes the mood of the collection.
Overall, Between Fuel Stops and Feelings is a quiet and emotional book. It is not a collection that needs to be rushed through. Its poems are better experienced slowly, especially during moments when one feels the need to pause and reflect.
Madhurima’s writing is simple, personal and emotionally open. The book speaks about heartbreak, loneliness, memories and uncertainty, but it also speaks about freedom, nature, love and the courage to keep moving.
For readers who enjoy poetry about emotions, travel, solitude and self-discovery, Between Fuel Stops and Feelings can be a meaningful read. At its heart, it is a book about a journey—not only across roads and landscapes, but also within oneself.
