Venny Soldan-Brofeldt

Artist, sculptor, and jewelry designer.

Ode to Palestine

Hazel’s strands burble down her spine, seizing the Jordan River
Stacked with bare feet, toddling her back, she’s an orphan river 

Wide hips and slender waist, curves emulating the streets of Ghaza
Grandmother, can I braid your hair? It’s as silky as a bourbon river 

Honey drips from between her thighs, sweet enough to make bastards slobber
She turns predators into parched prey, yearning for a drop of her spartan river

Behind poisoned bars, we exchange starved letters
Oh, how I long for a taste of your barren river

I trace her face with my finger, memories peek through her wrinkles
Whoever dares to erase her features, shall inhale her scorching river

Crying my name – Yara, why won’t you dive in these waters? 
Rest easy my love, when the sun mourns over the fallen doves of Haifa, I’ll be floating on the morning river.

A ghazal is a poetic form which originates in Arabic and Persian literature. It consists of rhyming couplets (sher) with a recurring rhyme and a refrain, often exploring themes of love, longing, and spirituality.

Ghazals employ vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to convey emotions within a compact space. They hold cultural significance, being performed in gatherings and rituals. Renowned poets like Mirza Ghalib and Rumi have contributed to its richness, making the ghazal a profound expression of human sentiment and artistic craftsmanship.

Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?

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