Sethi is at his best in the poems that deal with tribal life. There is a profound sense of alienation and resignation as the old way of life is threatened and the new order means little to those whose lives are caught in the turmoil. The first three poems of the collection - Where Shall I Go!, The Men in the Forest, and The World of Spirits - all dwell on this theme and keeping in tune with the simplicity of the old order are marked by a simplicity of style and expression.

The first poem touches on the theme of tribal land being acquired for industrial and other economic uses thereby displacing the original inhabitants of the land. It reflects the simple beliefs of the tribal: the latter sees his role as a mere trustee of the land that has been passed down by his forefathers, his attachment to his simple surroundings (the banyan tree, the rocks, the stones), and the meaninglessness of the claims that more industrialization will bring more happiness. Sethi takes a dig at the philosophy of unbridled economic prosperity leading to human happiness.

"A new era would dawn
With promises of more happiness;
And I know not for sure
If it means anything
To me or people like me."

The rhythm and beauty of tribal life are soulfully captured in "The Men in the Forest". The first part of the poem deals with nature's rhythm and the latter part goes on to show the harmony in the lives of the tribals, which are in tune with that of nature. The poet succeeds in transmitting to the urbane reader the uniqueness of this experience.

In his other poems too, Sethi forces us to slow down and take in the marvels quotidian reality. What would be an uneventful and mundane experience like a 'Morning in the Park' becomes a celebration of life for him. He exults at the sight of the 'young sun', the 'dark red flowers from the Kadamba tree', and 'the patches of marigold, / Big, beautiful of many colours'. Strongly rooted in the here and now, he poignantly narrates the death of the lead singer of a 'bhajan' group.

The various shades of love are captured in this collection. Using the analogy of a traveler, the narrator seeks his destination in death, the beloved one. Despite the darkness of the theme, 'Wish of a Traveller' is a romantic poem, in which death is seen as a beloved. 'Let's be Strangers' is a sentimental love poem whereas 'Bye! The Bird of my Cage' dwells on the angst of unrequited love. The possessiveness of the lover and the beauty of letting go are aptly conveyed by the symbol of the freeing of the caged bird.

While it's a delight to leaf through Sethi's poems, the collection could have done with some tighter editing. Also, there is a liberal use of the exclamation mark. The title of the collection "Where Shall I Go!" has an exclamation mark when a question mark would have been more appropriate. One wonders if it has been deliberately used to convey the helplessness and resignation of the poet over the prevailing state of affairs.