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If They Should Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar
these are my people & I find
them on the street & shadow
through any wild all wild
my people my people
a dance of strangers in my blood
the old woman’s sari dissolving to wind
bindi a new moon on her forehead
I claim her my kin & sew
the star of her to my breast
the toddler dangling from stroller
hair a fountain of dandelion seed
at the bakery I claim them too
the sikh uncle at the airport
who apologizes for the pat
down the muslim man who abandons
his car at the traffic light drops
to his knees at the call of the azan
& the muslim man who sips
good whiskey at the start of maghrib
the lone khala at the park
pairing her kurta with crocs
my people my people I can’t be lost
when I see you my compass
is brown & gold & blood
my compass a muslim teenager
snapback & high-tops gracing
the subway platform
mashallah I claim them all
my country is made
in my people’s image
if they come for you they
come for me too in the dead
of winter a flock of
aunties step out on the sand
their dupattas turn to ocean
a colony of uncles grind their palms
& a thousand jasmines bell the air
my people I follow you like constellations
we hear the glass smashing the street
& the nights opening their dark
our names this country’s wood
for the fire my people my people
the long years we’ve survived the long
years yet to come I see you map
my sky the light your lantern long
ahead & I follow I follow
General Introduction
"If They Should Come For Us" by Fatimah Asghar explores themes of identity, community, and resilience through the lens of a shared cultural heritage. The poem captures the essence of finding solidarity and connection among people who share a similar cultural background, despite the diverse expressions of their identities. Asghar weaves a tapestry of images that reflect the multifaceted experiences of South Asian and Muslim individuals, underscoring the strength and beauty in their unity.
Title
The title, "If They Should Come For Us," suggests a sense of impending threat or persecution, invoking a collective response to such adversity. It implies that any attack on an individual within the community is an attack on the entire group, highlighting the importance of solidarity and mutual support.
Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1
```
these are my people & I find
them on the street & shadow
through any wild all wild
my people my people
a dance of strangers in my blood
the old woman’s sari dissolving to wind
bindi a new moon on her forehead
I claim her my kin & sew
the star of her to my breast
```
The speaker begins by identifying their "people" as those they encounter in daily life. The phrase "a dance of strangers in my blood" conveys a sense of shared heritage with strangers. The imagery of an old woman’s sari "dissolving to wind" and her "bindi a new moon" evokes traditional South Asian attire and cultural symbols, which the speaker embraces as part of their identity.
Stanza 2
```
the toddler dangling from stroller
hair a fountain of dandelion seed
at the bakery I claim them too
the sikh uncle at the airport
who apologizes for the pat
down the muslim man who abandons
his car at the traffic light drops
to his knees at the call of the azan
& the muslim man who sips
good whiskey at the start of maghrib
```
This stanza broadens the speaker’s sense of community, encompassing various individuals: a child, a Sikh man, and Muslim men who observe different practices. The diverse images underscore the multifaceted nature of the speaker's community, unified by shared cultural roots rather than uniform behavior.
Stanza 3
```
the lone khala at the park
pairing her kurta with crocs
my people my people I can’t be lost
when I see you my compass
is brown & gold & blood
my compass a muslim teenager
snapback & high-tops gracing
the subway platform
mashallah I claim them all
```
Here, the speaker acknowledges individuals who blend traditional and modern elements, like the "khala" in a kurta with Crocs and the Muslim teenager in contemporary attire. These diverse expressions of identity guide the speaker, serving as a "compass" that orients them within their community.
Stanza 4
```
my country is made
in my people’s image
if they come for you they
come for me too in the dead
of winter a flock of
aunties step out on the sand
their dupattas turn to ocean
a colony of uncles grind their palms
& a thousand jasmines bell the air
```
The speaker asserts that their sense of "country" or belonging is shaped by the collective image of their people. The threat to one is a threat to all, invoking a united front. The vivid imagery of "aunties" with dupattas transforming into the ocean and "uncles" surrounded by jasmine symbolizes the rich cultural traditions that bind the community together.
Stanza 5
```
my people I follow you like constellations
we hear the glass smashing the street
& the nights opening their dark
our names this country’s wood
for the fire my people my people
the long years we’ve survived the long
years yet to come I see you map
my sky the light your lantern long
ahead & I follow I follow
```
The final stanza likens the speaker's people to constellations that guide them through darkness. The reference to "glass smashing the street" and "nights opening their dark" suggests societal turmoil or violence. Despite these challenges, the community’s endurance and shared history illuminate the speaker's path forward.
Themes
1. Community and Solidarity: The poem emphasizes the importance of collective identity and mutual support among the speaker’s cultural community. Each individual, despite their differences, is seen as part of a larger, unifying whole.
2. Cultural Heritage: The rich cultural imagery throughout the poem highlights the diverse yet interconnected traditions that define the speaker’s sense of self and belonging.
3. Resilience and Survival: The references to enduring long years and facing future challenges underscore the resilience of the speaker’s community in the face of adversity.
4. Diversity within Unity: The poem celebrates the various ways in which individuals express their cultural identity, acknowledging that unity does not require uniformity.
5. Guidance and Direction: The community serves as a compass for the speaker, guiding them through life’s challenges and uncertainties with the light of shared experiences and values.
Structure and Form
The poem is free verse, without a fixed rhyme scheme or meter. This form allows for a flowing, conversational tone that mirrors the diversity and fluidity of the speaker’s community. The use of "&" instead of "and" throughout the poem lends a sense of immediacy and connectivity between thoughts and images.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery: Vivid descriptions, such as "the old woman’s sari dissolving to wind" and "hair a fountain of dandelion seed," create rich, sensory experiences that evoke the cultural heritage of the speaker’s people.
2. Metaphor: The speaker’s community is metaphorically described as a "compass" and "constellations," symbols of guidance and direction.
3. Repetition: The repeated phrase "my people my people" reinforces the speaker’s deep connection and solidarity with their community.
4. Symbolism: Cultural elements like the "bindi," "sari," and "dupattas" symbolize the traditions and identity of the speaker’s heritage.
5. Juxtaposition: The poem contrasts different individuals and practices within the community, such as the Muslim man praying and another drinking whiskey, to highlight the diversity within the shared cultural framework.
6. Personification: The poem personifies cultural symbols, such as dupattas turning into the ocean and names becoming "wood for the fire," to emphasize their living, dynamic nature within the community.
Language and Diction
Asghar’s language is evocative and lyrical, using descriptive phrases and cultural references to paint a vivid picture of the speaker’s community. The informal tone and the use of "&" create a conversational, intimate feel that draws the reader into the speaker’s world.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is both celebratory and defiant. It celebrates the beauty and strength of the speaker’s cultural community while also standing firm against the threats and challenges they face. The tone is one of pride, resilience, and solidarity.
Context
Fatimah Asghar is a poet of South Asian and Muslim descent, known for her work that explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage. "If They Should Come For Us" reflects her experiences and observations as part of a diaspora community that navigates the complexities of cultural identity in a broader societal context.
Conclusion
"If They Should Come For Us" is a powerful exploration of community, identity, and resilience. Asghar’s vivid imagery and heartfelt language capture the deep connections that bind individuals within a cultural community, celebrating their diversity while affirming their unity. The poem serves as a reminder of the strength found in collective identity and the enduring bonds that guide and support us through life’s challenges.
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