Adored Essence

A poem by Nimah Ismail Nawwab

The Arabian jasmine's soft petals call out,

Sitti's voice echoes through,

The years trip past,

To the past.

Silvery braids brushing her waist,

Soft coils swinging in the breeze,

Crowned with the white stars of full,

Glittering in the early morning light,

Scooping the beloved blooms into water bowls,

Threading them into strings, rings, necklaces.

I reach up, running my hand,

Through the shining strands,

Brushing the flower coronet across her smooth temple

Lean in,

Sniffing,

Imbibing,

Anbar and full,

Filling my lungs with her unique fragrance.

Smiling, she hands me her necklaces,

Feather-light touch on my tiny neck,

As the petals settle across my shoulders,

Embraced by her scent with every move.

Every bush I pass revives Sitti's essence,

The call of her favorite bud,

Eternal.

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*Sitti is the Arabic word for grandmother

* *Full is Arabian Jasmine

About the Poet:

Nimah Ismail Nawwab is a Saudi poet descended from a long line of Makkan scholars. An English writer and poet as well as photographer, her essays and articles on Saudi society, customs, Islam, art, crafts, cuisine and calligraphy have been published in Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Her poems on women, freedom, Arabian society and the younger generation of Saudis as well as the universal themes of love, loss and simple joy are published online and in print.

She collects Saudi artifacts, Middle Eastern folkloric costumes, silver jewelry, Persian rugs, Nomadic weavings and pottery. She loves animals and enjoys listening to eclectic music, especially when writing poems; traveling, cooking and researching international dishes. Nimah lives with her husband and two children in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. She may be contacted at arapoet555@yahoo.com

Nimah's new volume of poetry 'The Unfurling; will soon be out and available

through major online booksellers.