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.