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Suad Al-Kuwari: Selected Poems from the Poetry Book “A New Door For Entry”

The Poetryzine Magazine presents the selected poems from the poetry book A New Door For Entry by the Qatari poetess Suad al Kuwari

Illustration: AI




REFRACTION


Today I saw at an old landing area

Barbarian tribes

Carrying with them empty coffins

Behind them are herds of cattles

And a beam of light scattered

by a crazy blow.

I also saw at the antique gates

A swarm of pigeons

Coming from a long trip

That lasted for years and years

Until they finally landed looking for

a place to settle.

I remembered your city.

I remembered your childhood as you told me about

Without addition or subtraction

I just remembered you

When I was crossing the street

to the other side



EMBALMING


Because I have no feet

I climbed the space

Of the memory

I watered the ships,

Of imagination,

With the wine of dream

The birds landed on my head

Then I took it out of my bag.

Ibexes and deers

I spread them on my table

Then I drank holy water

And turned into a huge crow.

That started fighting you

Out the window

Big and peaceful crow.

He leads the flock and your gaze to the spring



BREAK

You are in the heart and in the eye

A star in the sky

A lake tickled by a storm

A city with the most beautiful cloud.

Your moons still twinkle

Shined in your intermittent

Knocking at my doors

The louder the anthem was,

The louder the voices were

Whenever you invite me

To a feast by candlelight.

Over the bridge...

What bridge we had

You call it the bridge I call it salvation.



SEDUCTION


Please don’t open it,

Leave it locked

Cut off all means that bind me to you,

And let me disintegrate and melt

I have a soft body.

And a heart that has a strange heartbeat

Imaginary heartbeats

Please don’t open it

Leave me pray with longing and eagerness,

For your warm voice.



CONDITION


I reveal to the waves

And listen to the echo

I listen to the first cry launching

From a volcano’s crater

Or from the mouth of a crow rushing

Towards its prey

I listen to the wind rustling among the snails

Then I rest my head

On a stone pillow, I pass out.




The poem REFRACTION offers glimpses into poignant moments, where imagery and emotion intertwine seamlessly. Each verse paints a vivid picture of memory, longing, and transformation. Through the lens of the poet's observations, we journey through landscapes both external and internal, resonating with the echoes of forgotten cities and the whispers of untold stories. With lyrical elegance, the poem EMBALING invites readers into a realm where memory becomes a vessel for transcendence. Through the alchemy of words, the poet transcends physical limitations, weaving dreams and visions into a tapestry of surreal beauty. The imagery of birds and transformation evokes a sense of mystical wonder, inviting contemplation on the nature of existence and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit. In the poem BREAK the poet captures the essence of a cherished presence, invoking the celestial and terrestrial to describe the depth of connection. Through the interplay of light and shadow, storm and serenity, the verses resonate with the ebb and flow of emotions. The imagery of bridges and moons symbolizes the journey of love and the enduring power of shared experiences. In the poem SEDUCTION evokes a sense of vulnerability and desire, expressed through the plea to remain locked in longing. The poet's words dance delicately between restraint and surrender, portraying the paradox of yearning for closeness while fearing its consequences. The imagery of a soft body and a strange heartbeat lends an air of intimacy, inviting readers to explore the complexities of human desire. In the poem CONDITION, the poet listens intently to the world around them, attuned to the symphony of nature's voices. From the primal cry of a volcano to the gentle rustle of wind, each sound becomes a harbinger of revelation. The poem's closing image of resting one's head on a stone pillow suggests a surrender to the timeless rhythm of existence, finding solace in the embrace of the earth.

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