avatarDr. Manishi Pallavi

Summary

"Across The Miles" is a poem that narrates the emotional struggle of a devout Muslim man torn between his love for a woman and the strictures of his Orthodox society.

Abstract

The poem "Across The Miles" by Dr. Manishi Pallavi delves into the internal conflict of a Muslim man who is deeply in love with his sweetheart, despite the societal norms and religious expectations that forbid their union. He defies his community by crossing the Arabian Sea to catch a fleeting glimpse of his beloved. His life, marked by tireless struggles, leads him to seek solace in his faith by praying to Mecca and Medina, yet he yearns for a peace that reconciles his love with his religious duties. The poem captures the essence of his love, which remains unexpressed and yearning for a connection that societal norms render impossible. It ends with a poignant call to the reader, questioning whether anyone can alleviate the burden of Orthodox society and inviting them to join in the man's quest for personal freedom and love.

Opinions

  • The poet conveys the protagonist's deep inner turmoil as he is caught between the love for his sweetheart and the religious orthodoxy of his society.
  • The poem suggests that the protagonist's love is pure and profound, yet it remains unfulfilled due to the societal constraints of his Orthodox upbringing.
  • There is a subtle critique of the inflexibility of Orthodox societal norms, which are depicted as a barrier to personal happiness and fulfillment.
  • The protagonist's religious devotion is portrayed as both a source of comfort and a cause of his emotional strife.
  • The poem extends an invitation to the reader to empathize with the protagonist's plight and to consider the broader implications of societal and religious restrictions on individual freedom and love.

POETRY

Across The Miles

The struggles of a lover in an Orthodox society.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Across the miles,

lived his sweetheart.

A Muslim religious man,

listened to his warm and tender heart.

Breaking the rules of his Orthodox society,

he crossed the Arabian sea.

A glimpse of his sweetheart,

was all he knows.

Tired with the struggles of his life,

he bowed down to Mecca and Medina.

A homecoming for him

to self-realization.

But, he found his heart trapped between his love and

religion,

craving for peace.

A lasting peace,

Indeed, for now, and forever.

He found her by the dunes,

In the Arabic land.

He walked beside her,

But cannot hold hands.

He had her lover,

But cannot gaze in her eyes.

His unexpressed love,

with an ocean inside.

In his heart, he is loyal,

And, his soul is free.

He wishes someone can lift

the burden of Orthodox society.

Can anyone?

Or will you join him in his mission?

By Dr. Manishi Pallavi

Thank you for reading my poem. If you like it, here another one for my readers!

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