Convalescence
It isn't the first time the azaan wakes
me from a dream. People who are
haunted don't live around flower-leafed
trees. The few minutes before waking
I dreamt of long black curls flowing down
a hard spine. The hours of sunset are
an enduring wait. But, always, in the second
of opening the eyes, time is approachable;
the undermined sounds of life speak
the truth about the rewards of the light.
We grow a shadow for the sun to shine on,
there is no illness defined by limitations
which won't eat figs of labours. I, who
grows like the cestrum, lets the warmth
of hope find my core to fill it with continuality.
(Note: Azaan is the Muslim call for prayer.)
It isn't the first time the azaan wakes
me from a dream. People who are
haunted don't live around flower-leafed
trees. The few minutes before waking
I dreamt of long black curls flowing down
a hard spine. The hours of sunset are
an enduring wait. But, always, in the second
of opening the eyes, time is approachable;
the undermined sounds of life speak
the truth about the rewards of the light.
We grow a shadow for the sun to shine on,
there is no illness defined by limitations
which won't eat figs of labours. I, who
grows like the cestrum, lets the warmth
of hope find my core to fill it with continuality.
(Note: Azaan is the Muslim call for prayer.)
Sheikha A. is from Pakistan
and U.A.E. and often finds herself in a world of oscillation that most of the
times motivates her writing too. She maintains a (or tries to) blog on sheikha82.wordpress.com.
Dear Sheikha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this unique poem--truly appreciate your positive approach.
Blessings,
Michael
Thank you for reading, Michael!
DeleteSheikha...just what I needed today! Thank you.
ReplyDelete<3 Laura
DeleteBeautifu!
ReplyDeletethank you, Mary!
DeleteNice one, Sheikha. Thank you for sharing and continued blessings!
ReplyDelete-MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)
thank you for reading, Maurice!
DeleteSheikha,
ReplyDeleteGood poem, but I have never heard the word cestrum. What does it mean?
Your friend,
David Fox
David, nor had I! We recently took a flower pot (or in fact a plant pod not knowing what it was), and began watering it only to, one day, see a tuft of cestrum nocturnum (night blooming jasmines) had grown from it! These flowers unfortunately don't survive more than just a couple of days max. They grow only at nights, and tend to shed their petals within a few days.
DeleteDear Sheikha,
ReplyDeleteI read your understanding of cestrum above, cool. Your Coverage
of title "Convalescence" is supurb, and I loved your ending.
Yancy
Yancy, thanks so much for stopping by and reading! =)
Delete