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أيا ياسمين التي من حلب by Tamim Al-Barghouti — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Arabic

Original Poem

أيا ياسمين التي من حلب وأهلك تركٌ وأهلي عرب وما بينا رغم ما بيننا سيوفٌ تُسلُّ ونارٌ تُشب لِعينيك سامحت هذا الزمانَ وكُنتُ عليهِ طويلَ العَتَب جمالٌِ يُبَطِّئُ مرَّ الرياح ويرجعُ بالنَّهرِ قبل المَصَب

Translation (English)

Oh Jasmine from Aleppo Your family is Turkish and mine is Arab And between us, despite our differences Swords are drawn and fires are kindled For your eyes, I forgave this era And I was long in blaming it A beauty that slows the harsh winds And turns the river back before it reaches the sea

About the Poet

Tamim Al-Barghouti (Modern era)

Tamim Al-Barghouti is a contemporary Palestinian poet known for his works that often explore themes of identity, nationalism, and the Arab world. He has gained popularity for his poignant and evocative poetry.

Historical Context

Literary Form
Modern Arabic poetry
When Written
Modern era
Background
The poem reflects on themes of cultural and national identity, exploring the complexities of relationships across different ethnic backgrounds, particularly in the context of Arab and Turkish histories.

Sources: https://www.aldiwan.net/poem117406.html, https://poetsgate.com/poem.php?pm=208770, https://mafahem.com/قصيدة-ياسمين-التي-من-حلب, https://poetspedia.com/poem/ياسمين-التي-من-حلب.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry

Detailed Explanation

This poem by Tamim Al-Barghouti is a reflection on cultural and personal identity, set against the backdrop of historical tensions between Arabs and Turks. The poet addresses a woman named Jasmine from Aleppo, highlighting the differences in their ethnic backgrounds. Despite the historical conflicts symbolized by 'swords' and 'fires,' the poet expresses a personal reconciliation, forgiving the past for the sake of the woman's beauty and the connection they share. The imagery of slowing winds and reversing rivers suggests the power of beauty and love to transcend historical grievances and bring about personal peace.

Themes

  • Cultural identity
  • Historical conflict
  • Love and reconciliation

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery such as 'swords are drawn' and 'fires are lit' to convey historical conflicts.
  • Metaphor: Beauty is described as having the power to 'slow the passing winds,' symbolizing its profound impact.
  • Personification: The river is given the ability to 'return before the estuary,' suggesting the reversal of time or fate.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
أيا يا Oh ayaa
ياسمين زهرة Jasmine yaasameen
التي التي that allatee
من من from min
حلب مدينة في سوريا Aleppo Halab
وأهلك عائلتك your family wa ahluki
تركٌ أتراك Turks turkun
وأهلي عائلتي my family wa ahlee
عرب عرب Arabs arabun
وما ما what wa ma
بينا بيننا between us baynaa
رغم على الرغم من despite raghm
ما ما what ma
بيننا بيننا between us baynana
سيوفٌ سيوف swords siuufun
تُسلُّ تُخرج are drawn tusal
ونارٌ نار fire naarun
تُشب تُشعل are lit tushab
لِعينيك لعينيك for your eyes li'aynayk
سامحت غفرت forgave saamaht
هذا هذا this haadhaa
الزمانَ الوقت time az-zamaan
وكُنتُ وكنت and I was wa kuntu
عليهِ عليه on it alayhi
طويلَ طويل long taweela
العَتَب اللوم reproach al-'atab
جمالٌِ جمال beauty jamaalun
يُبَطِّئُ يُبطئ slows yubatti'u
مرَّ مرور passing marra
الرياح الرياح winds ar-riyaah
ويرجعُ يعيد returns wayarji'u
بالنَّهرِ النهر the river bil-nahr
قبل قبل before qabl
المَصَب المصب estuary al-masab

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