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لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَحمِلَ نَفسي by Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Arabic

Original Poem

لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَحمِلَ نَفسي يا لنَفسي التي تَلينُ وتُكسَرْ لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَخرُجَ مِنِّي ألفُ ذاتٍ في داخِلي تَتَشَجَّرْ جِئتُ مِن غَيرِ مَوعدٍ لحَيَاتي فرَأَيتُ الحياةَ في غَيرِ مَظهَرْ

Translation (English)

I was not one to carry myself Oh, my soul that softens and breaks I was not one to leave myself A thousand selves within me branch out I came without an appointment for my life And saw life in a different appearance

About the Poet

Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi (Contemporary)

Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi is a Yemeni poet born in 2002 in Al Hudaydah. He began writing poetry at the age of ten, showcasing an early talent and a clear inclination towards expression.

Historical Context

Literary Form
Modern Arabic Poetry
When Written
Contemporary period
Background
The poem reflects on the complexity of self-identity and the multiplicity within an individual. It explores themes of introspection and existential contemplation.

Sources: https://www.aldiwan.net/poem157321.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry

Detailed Explanation

This poem by Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi delves into the theme of self-identity and the internal struggle of understanding one's own multiplicity. The poet begins by expressing a sense of fragmentation, acknowledging that he is not a singular entity capable of carrying his own burdens. Instead, he reveals the complexity within, where multiple identities coexist and branch out like a tree. The poet reflects on his unexpected arrival into life, suggesting a lack of control over his existence and the realization that life presents itself in various forms, challenging his perceptions. The poem uses imagery of branching and transformation to convey the fluidity and complexity of the self, inviting readers to contemplate their own identities.

Themes

  • Identity
  • Introspection
  • Existentialism

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery of branching selves to convey complexity.
  • Metaphor: The multiple selves within the poet symbolize internal conflict and identity.
  • Personification: The soul is given human-like qualities of softening and breaking.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
لم ما did not lam
أكُنْ كنت was akun
واحدًا فردًا one wahidan
لأَحمِلَ لأرفع to carry la'ahmila
نَفسي ذاتي myself nafsi
يا أداة نداء O ya
لنَفسي لذاتي my soul linafsi
التي التي which allati
تَلينُ تضعف softens talinu
وتُكسَرْ وتحطم and breaks watuksar
لأَخرُجَ لأغادر to leave la'akhruja
مِنِّي من ذاتي from myself minni
ألفُ كثير thousand alfu
ذاتٍ شخصية selves dhatin
في في inside fi
داخِلي في داخلي within me dakhili
تَتَشَجَّرْ تتفرع branch out tatachajjar
جِئتُ وصلت I came jitu
مِن من from min
غَيرِ بشكل مختلف different ghayri
مَوعدٍ موعد محدد appointment maw'id
لحَيَاتي لحياتي for my existence lihayati
فرَأَيتُ فشاهدت and saw fara'aytu
الحياةَ الوجود life alhayat
مَظهَرْ شكل appearance mazhar

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