Subjective Substance - December 2003

	Online Journal of Poetry Volume 1 Issue 9 December 2003

Repentance
by Shyemaa' Umer

Rain slowly patters on the tin slide
Rolling down in slippery droplets
Yellow rays weakened by the misty fog
Illusion slowly turns into reality
A distant thunder slowly rumbles
The dry ground gasps 
as the water disappears down its parched lips
-O Allah, I am so weak-
The intensity of the rain slowly increases
Ive passed it on far too long
The weakened roots drink up the water
Withered roses slowly blossom
Perfuming the air,
-Give me strength -
Rain washes the dirt and grime, 
Rolling down my cheeks
Glistening my face 
-Keep me strong-
A swallow swoops down and rises back
Into the vast, unexplored sky
Slowly, I lift myself up
The evening sun is slowly setting
the black outline of the bird in flight
A light breeze lifts my hair
my spirit soaring
-I look up at the sky-
Spread my arms
-Feel so light-
I lift my face
-Finally free-
As the last flower finally blooms.

In her own words: "[My poems] are almost always based or related towards nature, or simply what I feel like writing. To me, poetry is another form of art - a channel through which I can express myself and my thoughts which I am otherwise not able to put into words. I don't always place periods or commas etc. where there is supposed to be a line break. I leave it for the reader to figure it out. In this poem, I wanted to symbolize repentance to a withered flower/rose. The hyphens act as my personal plea to Allah, like a silent dua which nobody else can hear - almost like a whisper. Rain symbolizes rebirth and life to me. It cleanses and purifies the world from the pollutants stuck drifting in the air. Being born in Saudi Arabia, I love rain and soaking myself, letting it wash my face. It really wakes me up and refreshes me."

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