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Poem Review: “Finally the land is surrounded by seeds” by Sara Elkamel
I read Sara Elkamel’s poem “Finally the land is surrounded by seeds” a few days ago and was astounded at how perfectly this poem applies to our current global situation. As quarantines and fear spread, I’ve been struggling with my desire to control my surroundings, to understand how life is unfolding. Elkamel tackles that struggle head on.
“I remember them saying your feet could never ever enter a land you were not destined to see. You go where your rizq takes you, nowhere else, they said.
This poem deals with the concept of rizq. Because I’m not familiar with Islam, I had to look this term up. Rizq has to do with provision. As in, Allah provides for you. The site I used to introduce myself to the concept talked a lot about the anxiety that comes from misunderstanding rizq. Allah gives you what He wants to give you. The site explains that, “…the rizq we have, no matter how much we feel we might have ‘earned’ it, is not from ourselves but has been provided by Allah.” In other words, you are not in control of what is given to you.
This additional information feels surprisingly essential to understanding the poem. The narrator is struggling with the limitations of rizq. What if your mother is suffering, and you can’t help her? What if it’s the last day on earth? What if you need things? Like mangoes? Distance? Blood? What if you want to leave, but there’s no way back? Should you accept what Allah has given you? Should you be content?
“The exact contours, the limits of lands, are not stipulated. Truth is, there are many smaller lands inside large lands. Many gates. Your rizq may allow you entry to the stone outside the ocean but not the ocean.”
Read the full poem at the link below, then come back here and let me know what you think. Whether you follow Allah or not, there’s a lot to discuss here.
Link: https://www.jetfuelreview.com/sara-elkamel-fall-2018.html
