Blood Ties
Sanaa -
February 16, 2017
Earlier PoemsPoetry

It feels as though echo, perhaps a recurring dream
I walked with you towards Golden City of the East.
Oh blood of my blood, let me souse in culture, art,
heritage, test depth of Gomti river ‘neath my feet.

Emotions are as dandelions blowing in the wind,
I, beneath oh rage of sky heard alone your voice.
We bid farewell to thoughts of safe, sweet home,
drank from mug that swirled with fear and hope.

I blinked and felt oh light of present evening sun,
surrounded by friendly faces of varying race and
creed. Time, is a faithful counselor, which acts as
a reminder, confirming that its nature is not one
that stays; often today is shadowed by tomorrow.

 

 

Process note: This poem was written along theme of heritage. Though I have never been to Lucknow, India I found that my paternal grandparents resided until partition 1947 when they migrated to Karachi, Pakistan.  As I was preparing to write I figured that the best way would be to present the poem via a dream sequence.. in which I could express my longing to know more about them and their roots.. and express their emotions on how they must have felt while migrating. Then I end the poem by depicting myself (snapping out of my reverie) into present day in K.L.

Photo credits: More Sky

Posted on Artistic Interpretations @ Real Toads

and posted on the Poetry Pantry @ Poets United

58 Responses

  1. anjum wasim dar says:
    February 17, 2017 at 4:23 am

    touching sad ..yet a comfortable end…memories do stay for long

    Reply
  2. gillena says:
    February 17, 2017 at 8:20 am

    “often today is shadowed by tomorrow.”

    Indeed Sanaa, we’re we to understand the shadows as we understand the light, the mystery of the journey would be lost. The test of faith useless. Thanks for dropping by to read mine.

    Much love…

    Reply
  3. Magaly Guerrero says:
    February 17, 2017 at 11:13 am

    Your last few poems have shared such powerful lines, with imagery that tells longer, deeper stories. In this one, my eyes closed after reading “mug that swirled with fear and hope”. I think so many of us have sipped (even gulped) from that same mug. And when common experiences are shared, we remembered how close we can be to each other… if we allow ourselves.

    Reply
  4. Sherry Blue Sky says:
    February 18, 2017 at 1:07 am

    “drank from the mug that swirled with fear and hope”….just so, when one makes the leap from the safety of home towards a dream. I know that feeling well. Smiles.

    Reply
  5. Ekta khetan says:
    February 18, 2017 at 1:51 am

    It was written brilliantly. Riveting yet comforting. Comforting, yet awakening. I loved the beauty of the sweet -bitter truth it has. Good work Sanaa, Neat and soul striking!

    Reply
  6. Bjorn Rudberg says:
    February 18, 2017 at 4:57 am

    This has to be one of your best poems.. it’s so personal, yet truly general, the relief of safety with that sadness of what you left…

    Reply
  7. Rommy Driks says:
    February 19, 2017 at 4:46 am

    There’s a beautiful poignancy in this piece of mingled hope and trepidation.

    Reply
  8. Margaret says:
    February 19, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    …the mug that swirled with fear and hope. The fact that so many people have sipped from that mug and risked all for a chance at a better life just amazes me.

    Reply
  9. Sara McNulty says:
    February 25, 2017 at 7:54 am

    This is one incredible poem, Sanaa! Lines like ‘time is a faithful counselor’ and ‘often today is shadowed by tomorrow ‘. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  10. Magic of Words says:
    March 19, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    A lovely poem about the passage of time and memories, the longing to explore new places, beautifully expressed 🙂

    Reply
  11. Sherry Blue Sky says:
    March 19, 2017 at 11:41 pm

    Thanks for the process notes, Sanaa………they helped my understanding. What a wonderful heritage. It would be wonderful to travel there and walk in your ancestors’ footsteps. Maybe one day you will.

    Reply
  12. Magical Mystical Teacher says:
    March 20, 2017 at 12:17 am

    I am feeling the shadow of tomorrow, eclipsing today.

    Reply
  13. Bev says:
    March 20, 2017 at 12:23 am

    Especially meaningful once knowing the story behind the words. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Bekkie Sanchez says:
    March 20, 2017 at 1:26 am

    Beautiful yet sad, Sanaa. You tug at my heartstrings.

    Reply
  15. gillena says:
    March 20, 2017 at 3:30 am

    Luv the poem ending

    “Time, is a faithful counselor, which acts as
    a reminder, confirming that its nature is not one
    that stays; often today is shadowed by tomorrow.”

    Thanks for dropping by my Sunday Standard today

    much love…

    Reply
  16. Signedbkm says:
    March 20, 2017 at 5:37 am

    Drank from mug…fear and hope. Liked that line…bkm

    Reply
  17. Erbiage says:
    March 20, 2017 at 5:39 am

    I too like the mug. Wonderful imagery here.

    Reply
  18. ZQ says:
    March 20, 2017 at 5:45 am

    One of your best!
    ZQ

    Reply
  19. Mary says:
    March 20, 2017 at 6:12 am

    I like the flow of this poem, Sanaa, and the process notes. I appreciate such details that help me understand – plus I enjoyed learning a bit of your family history.

    Reply
  20. Jamztoma says:
    March 20, 2017 at 7:04 am

    I’m amazed by your lyrical abilities Sanaa. And the diversity in this poem is magnificent. thank you, I”m all smiles.

    Reply
  21. Truedessa says:
    March 20, 2017 at 7:29 am

    I think presenting your words in a dream sequence worked very well. It was plausible.
    often today is shadowed by tomorrow – to me this is a reminder to live in today and not worry about tomorrow.

    Reply
  22. CC says:
    March 20, 2017 at 7:39 am

    What a meaningful pilgrimage of exploring your roots, Sanaa!

    Reply
  23. Myrna says:
    March 20, 2017 at 8:07 am

    You capture so well the experience of being an immigrant. I like how in your dream you try to reconnect with your ancestry. Lovely poem. I truly enjoyed.

    Reply
  24. Wendy Bourke says:
    March 20, 2017 at 11:23 am

    I agree with Bjorn – this piece is up there with some of your best work. ‘Time, is a faithful counselor,’ ,,, so wise.

    Reply
  25. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    March 20, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    A very beautiful poem, dreamy indeed. And your closing sentence is profound!

    Reply
  26. Old Egg says:
    March 20, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Each of us has so much history inside us, of our roots our families and our traditions. This beautiful poem is one of a journey that each of takes in our own way and which we should be proud of.

    Reply
  27. Rall says:
    March 21, 2017 at 1:21 am

    Partition was a terrible time in history. Your grandparents must have a lot of stories. Nice picture and words.

    Reply
  28. totomai says:
    March 21, 2017 at 9:16 am

    I love culture / heritage Sanaa and this poem brings a smile on my face despite the poignancy. Hope you can visit Lucknow soon.

    Reply
  29. Susan says:
    March 22, 2017 at 2:27 am

    Wow! Whistles! i am so moved by this vision!
    “We bid farewell to thoughts of safe, sweet home,
    drank from mug that swirled with fear and hope.”
    And to find that while looking at the past–knowing such focus on each other will be necessary to survive tomorrow. Keep those dandelions growing and blowing.

    Reply

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