The Sea by By Mohamed Abdul Hai: The First Song from The Return to Sinnar

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General Introduction

"The Sea" by Mohamed Abdul Hai, from his book "The Return to Sinnar," is a richly symbolic and vividly descriptive poem that explores themes of nature, existence, transformation, and cultural identity. Through intricate imagery and lyrical language, the poem takes the reader on a journey of discovery and contemplation, inviting reflection on the complexities of life and the universe.

   

 

 

The Sea by By  Mohamed Abd-Alhai

(The First Song from The Return to Sinnar)

I beheld how the first of birds soared,

Twice, it circled around before it vanished

Into the luminous dimness of the twilight’s orchard.  (1)

The sun was mixed perturbed desires,

Of phosphor and blaze,

plummeting into the bosom of the waters’ western line;

An orchard of chimerical fruition

Whose demonic splendours,

Of dates and pomegranates and of apples

Begotten, at the spur of the moment, out of nothing,

Shimmer fleetingly and disappear into blazing flames. (2)

But then, we were bequeathed with the first of offerings;

The silhouette of an unsubstantiated existence,

Snarls of sea-lichen on salty waters,

And yarns of the remains of dead trees,

Where the busy sea creatures,

In their blindfolded mirthful revelling,

Oblivious to the images of day

Erased by those of night,

Engrave the primal shapes of life,

Deep in this world of sea leeches.(3)

And then the smell of land surged,

Carried by the gentle breeze

Brought the shades of a hue,

Alien to the greenness of this abyss,

And the mutterings of a language of sultry reverberations.

In the darkness,

From within the hiatus of silence,

Plunging deep into the circles of utterance; (4)

On the darkened hilltops,

Above the trees,

The lantern lights of villages rose,

floating nearer, then drowning

In the haze of mist and vapour.

They drop, like over- ripened fruits,

Into the impenetrable silence

At the edging borders

Between dreary dreams

And the birth of longing.

And out of the shadows of land,

Soared the birds of fire.

Here and now, behold

The brimming trunks of living trees,

The flesh of earth

Behold the blooms.

Tonight, my people will receive me;

Horses prancing within the circle of fire;

Dancing, embellished with resounding bells and silk brocade;

A damsel, invitingly, opens the river’s gate,

She summons

The custodians of the word, of the blue sultanate.

Out of their silent mountain,

Out of the thickets, they sprout;

Here is one, vainly strutting,

In a leopard’s skin;

There behold others, in water shirts, glisten.

Tonight, my people will receive me.

My ancestors’ spirits transpire,

Emanating, unwrapped, out of the river’s silver dreams

And the dimly shining night of shimmering signs,

Incarnated in children’s bodies,

Enthuse a chanter of a religious hymn

And enliven a drummer’s forearm.

Tonight, my people will receive me.

With gifts, they received me:

The teeth of the dead strung into a rosary;

A skull for a prayers’ ewer

And a prayer mat of oxen hide;

A sign glitteringly vacillating between the palm dates

And the ebony tree;

A language emerging like a spearhead,

Out of the earth’s womb

And across, unto the unbounded expanse of the wound.

Tonight, my people will receive me.

The forest and the desert

Were but a sleeping naked dame,

On a bed of lightening

Awaiting the visitation of her divine bull,

Who calls in the dark.

The face and the mask

Are but one in form,

Blossoming in innocence‘s kingdom

And the mire of primordial beginnings

At the boundary between light and darkness,

Between wakefulness and slumberous repose.

Title  

"The Sea" serves as both a literal and metaphorical focal point in the poem, symbolizing the vastness of the unknown, the depths of the human experience, and the cyclical nature of existence. The sea represents a boundary between worlds, a source of life and mystery, and a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Themes

1. Nature's Transience:  

   "Into the luminous dimness of the twilight’s orchard."  

   This line suggests the fleeting nature of beauty and life, highlighting the transient quality of existence.

2. Cyclical Transformation

   "plummeting into the bosom of the waters’ western line;"  

   The imagery of the sun descending into the sea symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, mirroring the natural rhythms of the universe.

3. The Sublime and the Mundane

   "An orchard of chimerical fruition / Whose demonic splendours,"  

   This juxtaposition of the sublime and the mundane reflects the complexity and dualistic nature of human experience, where moments of beauty and wonder coexist with the ordinary and the everyday.

4. Cultural Identity and Heritage:  

   "My ancestors’ spirits transpire,"  

   The poem celebrates cultural heritage and identity, invoking ancestral spirits and traditions as a source of strength and continuity.

5. Spiritual Awakening:  

   "A language emerging like a spearhead, / Out of the earth’s womb,"  

   This imagery suggests a spiritual awakening or rebirth, where language and culture are portrayed as transformative forces that shape individual and collective identities.

Literary Devices

1. Imagery:  

   "An orchard of chimerical fruition / Whose demonic splendours,"  

   The use of vivid imagery creates a visual and sensory experience for the reader, enhancing the poem's thematic depth and emotional resonance.

2. Metaphor:  

   "And out of the shadows of land, / Soared the birds of fire."  

   This metaphorical imagery suggests a transcendent or spiritual experience, where the ordinary world is transformed into something extraordinary.

3. Symbolism:  

   "Tonight, my people will receive me;"  

   This symbolizes a return to one's roots, a homecoming, or a spiritual reunion with one's ancestors and cultural heritage.

4. Alliteration:  

   "The sun was mixed perturbed desires, / Of phosphor and blaze,"  

   The repetition of the "d" sound creates a rhythmic quality to the line, enhancing its poetic effect and emphasizing the sun's transformative power.

5. Personification:  

   "Horses prancing within the circle of fire;"  

   This personifies the horses, giving them human-like qualities and enhancing the imagery of a celebratory and festive atmosphere.

6. Parallelism:  

   "Tonight, my people will receive me. / With gifts, they received me:"  

   The parallel structure of these lines creates a sense of continuity and anticipation, reinforcing the poem's themes of cultural identity and heritage.

Language and Mood

The language of the poem is lyrical and evocative, creating a mood of contemplation, wonder, and awe. The use of vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and rhythmic language transports the reader to a world of mystery and beauty, inviting reflection on the deeper meanings of life and existence.

Context

The poem is set against the backdrop of nature, with the sea as a central motif symbolizing the journey of life and the universe. It can be interpreted as a reflection on the human experience, cultural identity, and the interconnectedness of all things. The imagery and themes evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, inviting the reader to explore the complexities of existence and the beauty of the natural world.

Conclusion

"The Sea" is a profound and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of nature, existence, transformation, and cultural identity. Through its rich imagery, vivid language, and symbolic depth, the poem invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of life and the universe, celebrating the beauty and complexity of the human experience.