Candle of Motherhood

This is a revised version of my earlier poem 'The Candle'.

CANDLE OF MOTHERHOOD

Upright and confident she shone,

A light amidst devils of old.

Sheltering her enchanted child,

From fiery fiends of the night.

A candle with the power to light

New beams, and embers of the past.

A home where happiness abounds,

Where wretched ignorance stays out.

Away now I lie from her sight,

Away I linger in the dark.

Now old I am, but wiser she

Who warned me of my own follies.

Still deep I fall into the pit

With shadows now engulfing me.

But from the corner leaps a spark,

Her final breath to protect me.

- Maryam Kaleem

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Drought

DROUGHT There is no use, whining and complaining. You do not hear our meek, feeble voices. While you dance and rejoice in cool cascades, Burnt, barren - I lay on the blazing sand. Last summer did I harrow through the dirt, Digging deeper into my six feet pit, Sowing kernels I will never watch bloom - A meagre inheritance for my son What use is it now to keep that scarecrow? No yield remains for birds to snatch and steal. I have stood with my arms outstretched, waiting To be but denied by God's scavengers. So let me stand before this pleasant noose - A fertile ring against desolation. - Maryam Kaleem A late upload - dedicated to those farmers who have suffered due to the drought in recent years. Monsoon is here now, Alhamdulillah. I pray it rains enough. I pray our farmers live a happy, prosperous life. I pray they escape persecution. I pray they never have to take such drastic steps to have their voice heard.

A Warrior in Obscurity

A WARRIOR IN OBSCURITY Bold and brave I had pretended to be, Stepping onto the winding road, now doomed. A well of youthful arrogance in me, Brushing away all the terrors that loomed. Brandishing mighty swords for Honour's sake, With scholars and saints, befriending Wisdom. Peace with one, war with another I'd make, Thus all hailed the guardian of the kingdom! Now I lay weak and old, my pride shattered. Now I stare into the Void - blinded, maimed. Now I am forgotten, a voice unheard. Now I am no more the spirit untamed. Give this wearied soul a sip of Lethe, Deliver me from vile senility! - Maryam Kaleem

Flying Victory

FLYING VICTORY A glorious passion unknown to me, Of valour, of courage, silenced today, When a holy force plunged, battled away The scarlet monuments of history. Then unfurled the golden wings of victory And opened gates of jewels, spoils to stay, A spirit rising, flying to its sway To meet the host of godly company. Stabbed and wounded the body now remains A son, brother, father, fallen again And I complain of Time slipping away! May the banner fly as high as those wings May it envelop the world in its care And may a martyr never die in vain! - Maryam Kaleem The Battle of Mu'tah was fought in 629 AD (8th year after Hijrah), between the Muslims and the Eastern Roman Empire. The battle is remembered among Muslims for the bravery and courage of the martyrs, most notably, that of Zayd bin Haritha, Abdullah bin Rawaha and Ja'far bin Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with them). Ja'far lost both of his arms in b...

Learning to Breathe

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