Poem

Dead Language

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This piece is part of the 2017 MYM Ramadan Writing Contest Collection.

My heart sat on the window pane:
bleaked; stripped; pounding.
I reminisced of the stolen happiness
sitting on my face.
I rewrote my tears in the most painful syllables.
Something like affliction, something like pain.
My heart was a dead language,
and this verse pronounced every letter clearly.
It recited, “after every hardship, there is relief”.

I sighed into this line,
my tears fused with each fatha,
I felt the down-toning of pain recite with each kasra.
I sprung,
My tears dried.
I recited the next line,
they sounded like lullabies drowsing my pain.
A repetition, an enjambment for soul-lifting.
“Indeed, after every hardship is relief”.
The window closed, my pain faded into belief.
My heart found Solace.


Note from author: The last word: Solace, with a capital “S”, translates as the meaning of the name of the surah; Suratul Inshirah.

Top 10 Contestant for the 2017 Muslim Youth Musings Ramadan Writing Contest!

86 Comments

  1. Muideen A. A. Reply

    This is simply one of the best poems I have read in ages. In this there’s a poet who waxes the intrinsic with the extrinsic…a poet who believes in words there’s a solace, in those words that are greater than mere words. Here, through picturesque metaphors, you are drawn to the scriptural power of Qur’an and its embalming and soothing grace.

  2. This is a great piece… I love the imagery and the style of passing the message… Kudos

  3. Abul Khayr Reply

    BarakaLlahu fihi. May Allah increase you in knowledge and wisdom. More ink to your pen Bi IdhniLlah

  4. The Quran itself is the greatest of poetry. Drawing your inspiration from it is the height of wisdom. You’ve crafted those inspiring and melancholic lines wonderfully. I hope you win this Inshaa Allah.

  5. Tirmidhi Adigun Reply

    He who put to paper saves generations
    He who against it kills generation
    Writing in His might
    Will take you to greater height
    May you see the light

    Ibankhan I respect your poetic height

  6. This is really an amazing piece. you have never seem to stop amazing me with all ur literary works.. Weavers writers club believes u will win this.. reach for the top dear

  7. Lady Impeccable Reply

    Ibankhan, this piece is really poetry in it’s most exquisite definition and the icing to it, the Quranic inspiration. Your poem has grown into something award worthy. So proud of you

  8. Ibrahim knows how to place the words when he answers to the call of the pen .
    Maa Sha Allah.

  9. Boss, I love this piece.
    Well carved, interesting and inspiring.

  10. Each time I read this guy’s poems I get inspired to write mine( I can’t though?). Nice one bro keep ’em coming.??

  11. Dazzler Munezz Reply

    Nice one bro!…keep it Rollin
    May God bless ur pen.
    #Standard

  12. If I were to describe this in one word, i would say it is simply “succinct”

  13. impeccable! May Allah increase you in wisdom. I’m proud of your creativity. You’re very gifted with the pen. May you win this!

  14. I am OgaIB Reply

    You must be Author (Arthur) Pen-Dragon…

    Other writers distance, they should have listened ….

    Maa sha Allah bro :)

  15. Alli Morufat Reply

    This is amazing… the sky is the limit. Barakallahu fih.

  16. The Anonymous Cherif Reply

    Intelligently written and empathetically insightful. This is the kind of poetry that passes for therapy tapes.

  17. Taiwo Zaynab Reply

    Barakkahllahu fih brother. May Allah increase you in Knowledge.

  18. Comrade Shittu (Baba igbagbo) Reply

    What’s a fantastic one.please keep it up

  19. Comrade Shittu (Baba igbagbo) Reply

    What’s a wonderful job. Ibrahim keep it up

  20. Anifowose Abdulazeez Reply

    Masha’allah, brother, may Allah grant you victory

  21. This is quite outstanding. Grrratitude for letting us in to share from your muse.

  22. If I were to describe this in just a word, I’ll say this is just so awesome.Beautiful.

  23. Iban Khan,
    Each time I read your works I get inspired by every line.
    this is one of the best poem I’ve read so far that you’ve written.
    keep up the good work sire.

  24. Neofloetry Reply

    when the lonely heart is restless, it has more than enough to pour out to the world. Kudos dear.

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