T
his poem encapsulates the essence of a trance-like feeling that one fuses into as one is bowing before Allah (S.W.T.) on a prayer mat. It curls from under and around the membranes of one’s heart as one connects with a Higher Existence that beckons your soul as you take a single step towards It. The word, ‘Sujood’ is a plural for the term, ‘Sajda’, which means to bow. The true art of expression begins when you feel that a Greater Power is with you (when not a soul is there for you), listening to you, as you bow to Him on the Canvas of Profundity – the prayer mat.
Sujood
hush – darkness charges and comes to a standstill
somersaulting into an ocean of Light,
lashes wet like the bristles of a paintbrush,
stroke the Canvas of Profundity
here, I speak with my heart
for my tongue feels too insignificant
the darkest hour when all eyes
smudge into a panorama of subconsciousness
Allah still listens to me.
In Sujood, you find yourself
for the world crumbles under your feet
as you gnaw at the last cord holding you intact
for the world fuses into a shroud of your dreams
as you embellish your dressing table to appear pretty for an outing
for your life is an hourglass sucking every speck out of you
and you pass away into a heap of sand –
ostracized by your closest one.
for only in Sujood, as your eyes are closed,
as your heart opens, as your hopes fall apart,
as your soul splits asunder,
will the Light enter you.
so, I speak without words
to the One who'll always listen,
who'll always answer my prayers
with stardust, with filigree, with aurora –
in ways unimaginable.
Hafsa Mumtaz (she/her/hers), aged 22, is a Pakistani poet, a graduate of English Language and Literature, and a Muslim. Her poetry has been published in Visual Verse Anthology, Rising Phoenix Review, Women’s Spiritual Poetry, and in The New Verse News. She loves to write retrospective pieces on women empowerment, and the transcendental.
*For submission guidelines, click here.*
Ive never seen any great poetry than this ❤
ReplyDeleteAverage poetry. The images in this poem imitate Hiba's poetry, 'Crescendo' and 'Masterpiece.' Please try to be original, stop copying others.
ReplyDeleteJust because Hafsa happened to use the word 'paintbrush' and 'filigree' that Hiba has used in her previous poems does not mean it's a copy. Just because Hiba knows these words does not mean no one else can know these words.
ReplyDeleteTo respond to the accusation of copying, I think readers should read the ekprastic poem, 'Breath You in' by Alaya Mays on the current issue of Visual Verse on pg. 03, and Hiba's poem, 'Crescendo' on pg. 14. They'll get to know who is copying.
I have nothing against Hiba's poetry. Tbh, I don't consider it plagiarism, but if I have to fall down to a petty level of thinking (considering identical words to be copying), then yes, it can be plagiarism. What's more is that 'Crescendo' and 'Breathe You in' are written on a same image.
My two cents for the wise; Had it been plagiarism, the editor wouldn't publish it. Had Hiba's 'Crescendo' been a copied attempt, the editor of Visual Verse wouldn't publish it.
So let's be mindful and mature enough to be above all this nonsensical accusation. :)
It is highly probable that similar expressions and images can be used by different people for the same image prompt.
DeleteSame words can be used by different poets but not in the same style and metaphors. Also, Hiba's poetry has been published widely, so her journey is longer and more refined. It is suggested that one should pursue their own unique choice of magazines rather than following other poet's pathway. Each poet chooses a home for their poetry according to their style and taste.
Ekphrastic*
ReplyDelete@the anon person defending me, I appreciate your honest concern but I truly do not mind if there are some traces of my poems in Hafsa's works. Hafsa read those works and some of the images may have unconsciously translated in her poetry. I think it happens with all the readers and writers. It just shows that my poems had a deep impact on the reader. Hafsa's poem is well-written too. Let's just clear the air and appreciate art.
ReplyDelete-Hiba
It's a beautiful poem, Hafsa. Indeed in sujood we find ourselves :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is this sujood? It is WRONG
ReplyDeleteWhat is this sujood in the picture above? It is WRONG!
ReplyDelete