With a lot of harrowing situations going on in the world, and the Arab Spring has officially turned into a year, I would like to share a poem I wrote and had published on Damazine. It talks about Palestine but it truly reflects any country going through violence and unjust regimes.
May Allah (swt) protect them all. Ameen.
When the Olive Tree Warbler Sings
Originally published in Damazine’s Issue, Summer 2011
By Mariam Al-Kalby
Palestine gives birth to another war.
The warbler squawks.
With olive trees bending in pain,
I see Hope as a cupped nest dangling from an olive branch.
Ashes embedded in leaves, rivers of blood
flows through the cracked rocks of Gaza, does the sun really shine
or is it merely illuminating the starkness of despair?
Are those songs really of love or loud creaks of sadness?
When I see the wings dancing in the air, in the backdrop of bombs,
is the bird dancing in joy or writhing from the shrieks of mothers?
Does the warbler feel the tragedy rising from the souls of the deceased
or is it oblivious to the destruction that surrounds its world?
Perched on a branch, a tear escapes beneath its plumes.
Do you have any poems or written pieces reflecting on war and people?
Allah Owns the World (part II)
When The Doors Are Wide Open (part I)
When The Doors Are Wide Open (finale)
Before the Sun Rises and Before it Sleeps (part I)
Mariam
As death and disaster, war and pain seem to be a part of being alive in this existence, I can’t take it personally, but use it as a opportunity to reflect the opposite. Kristin
Thanks for sharing Kristin.
A Real Heart touching Poem.
Jazakumallhu khair!
All creatures big or small are still
our brethren;
the rooster is up with the dawn
so is the donkey and they know
they are there for a reason.
Their death or birth are declared
In the passing of hours, little
markings recorded in the face of heaven,-
As surely as blood spilled on the streets or
in the cowardly night of silence
it cannot be passed over
As though never happened.
Alone man does not know
if they are placed under the heaven for a curse
or blessing.
Thank you for sharing.
Miriam, in the line ‘if they are placed’ it should be instead ‘he is.’ Thanks.
thank you!
I visited the area of your blog with “Sid the Squid”, whom I adored, but didn’t see a place to leave you a ‘like’. Considered that entry liked, please. Your little warbler above is a sweet entry as well.
Thank you so much for your comments!
You are more than welcome. Sid looks like a delightful fellow out there swimming with his little, fishy, friends.
Sid is the little octopus in one of your other posts on children’s books. There was no like button there, so I couldn’t ‘like’ the post. Check out your dash board for permissions on allowing likes and/or comments to open the door to communication.
Thank you-I will look into it.
You are very welcome.