“يا أيها الموتى بلا موت ؛تعبت من الحياة بلا حياةوتعبت من صمتي ومن صوتي تعبت من الرواية والرواةِومن الجناية والجناة ومن المحاكم والقضاة وسئمت تكليس القبوروسئمت تبذير الجياع على الأضاحي والنذور”

Example of Usage

The poet Samih al-Qasim expresses his exhaustion and frustration with life in this excerpt from his poem. He reflects on the paradox of being dead without death and exhausted from the monotony and injustices of life. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language conveys a sense of weariness and disillusionment with the world.

Analysis of Quote from Samih al-Qasim

In this powerful quote by Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasim, he expresses a deep sense of exhaustion and disillusionment with life and society. The repetition of "تعبت" (I am tired) emphasizes the speaker's weariness with different aspects of life, from the living without truly living, to the silence and noise that surrounds them, to the injustices perpetuated by those in power. The use of imagery, such as "تكليس القبور" (the desolation of graves) and "تبذير الجياع على الأضاحي والنذور" (the squandering of the hungry on sacrifice and vows), highlights the harsh realities and injustices that the speaker is tired of witnessing. This quote reflects a deep sense of frustration and hopelessness at the state of the world.

Modern Relevance

The powerful words of Palestinian poet Samih Al-Qasim in this poem still hold significance in the modern world. Despite being written decades ago, the themes of exhaustion, injustice, and disillusionment with society are all too relevant today. Al-Qasim's lament of a life without meaning and the weariness of enduring societal inequalities resonates with many individuals who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of our contemporary world.

Reflection Questions:

In the poem by Samih Al-Qasim, the speaker expresses feelings of exhaustion and disillusionment with life and society. These themes can provoke deep reflection on our own experiences and perspectives. Below are some questions to consider:

1. How do you interpret the speaker's feelings of fatigue and resignation towards life and society? Can you relate to these emotions in any way?

2. What do you think the speaker means by "يا أيها الموتى بلا موت" (O dead without death)? How does this phrase contribute to the overall tone and message of the poem?

3. How does the repetition of phrases like "تعبت من" (I am tired of) and "وسئمت" (I am fed up with) impact the reader's understanding of the speaker's state of mind?

4. What societal issues or injustices do you think the speaker is alluding to in the poem? How do these issues resonate with contemporary issues or experiences in our world today?

5. In what ways does the poem's imagery and language evoke a sense of despair and disillusionment? How does this contribute to the overall emotional impact of the poem?