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. Β 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:Β More Sky
touching sad ..yet a comfortable end…memories do stay for long
Thank you so much, Anjum π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
“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…
Thank you so much, Gillena π so good to see you β€οΈ
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.
Amen!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Magaly π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
“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.
Thank you so much, Sherry π so good to see you!β€οΈ
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!
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Ekta π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ
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…
Thank you so much, Bjorn π so glad you liked it.β€οΈ
There’s a beautiful poignancy in this piece of mingled hope and trepidation.
Thank you so much, Rommy π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
…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.
Definitelyβ€οΈ Thank you so much, Margaret π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
This is one incredible poem, Sanaa! Lines like ‘time is a faithful counselor’ and ‘often today is shadowed by tomorrow ‘. Gorgeous!
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Sara π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ
A lovely poem about the passage of time and memories, the longing to explore new places, beautifully expressed π
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Loredana π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ
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.
Thank you so much, Sherry π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
I am feeling the shadow of tomorrow, eclipsing today.
Let us hope not. Thanks for stopping by, MMT π
Especially meaningful once knowing the story behind the words. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Beverly π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Beautiful yet sad, Sanaa. You tug at my heartstrings.
Thank you so much, Bekkie π so good to see you β€οΈ
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…
Thank you so much, Gillena π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
Much love…
Drank from mug…fear and hope. Liked that line…bkm
Thank you so much, Barbara π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
I too like the mug. Wonderful imagery here.
Thank you so much, Eric π so good to see you β€οΈ
One of your best!
ZQ
Thank you so much, ZQ π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
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.
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Mary π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ
I’m amazed by your lyrical abilities Sanaa. And the diversity in this poem is magnificent. thank you, I”m all smiles.
Thank you so much, Jamztoma π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
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.
Thank you so much, Truedessa π so good to see you β€οΈ
What a meaningful pilgrimage of exploring your roots, Sanaa!
Thank you so much, C.C π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
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.
Thank you so much, Myrna π so glad you enjoyed it β€οΈ
I agree with Bjorn – this piece is up there with some of your best work. ‘Time, is a faithful counselor,’ ,,, so wise.
Thank you so much, Wendy π so good to see you β€οΈ
A very beautiful poem, dreamy indeed. And your closing sentence is profound!
Thank you so much, Rosemary π so glad you liked it β€οΈ
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.
Definitely β€οΈ thanks for stopping by, Robin π
Partition was a terrible time in history. Your grandparents must have a lot of stories. Nice picture and words.
Thank you so much, Rall π so good to see you β€οΈ
I love culture / heritage Sanaa and this poem brings a smile on my face despite the poignancy. Hope you can visit Lucknow soon.
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Totomai π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ
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.
Aww!β€οΈ Thank you so much, Susan π so glad you liked it!β€οΈ