Followers

Friday 8 May 2020

SALIM

For an old friend...

There was the homeland Salim described so vividly
in the military post room, where he showed me photos
and presented me with an ornate copper coffee pot.

He tried so hard to teach me Arabic, but
I just couldn't grasp it. All that 
reading and writing in alien characters -

and from right to left - really screwed my head.
The next week he'd be returning home to his child bride
and swapping army uniform for traditional dress.

Perhaps I'd never see Salim again, but
in my mind's eye, I'd haunt his whitewashed home
and linger often beneath a scorching Omani sun...

29 comments:

  1. Ygraine,
    We are all always trying to learn the language of angels and the language of men, but without love we will be nothing. This biblical parable that I transform here into simple words sends us to your beautiful text, which brings us the desire that your heart feels, but not only to understand the language of Salim, but to understand the desire for the return of the best days in that we all live in our lives.
    Very kisses! Stay at home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My friend...yes, I tried to learn the language...but, I guess without love...😉
      Sad how many of our old friends seem to simply drift out of our lives...
      Many thanks!😊😊

      Stay safe and happy, my friend!

      Many kisses xxx

      Delete
  2. really beautiful poem Ygraine, have a nice time and be well hugs and love for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you, dear Gloria...so much!😊😊

      Stay safe and happy, my friend.

      Sending you much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  3. The very best friendships continue, even when our ways drift apart, even when language is a barrier.
    Thank you for this beautiful window to your heart.
    Stay well, stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, dear Sue...you are so right!
      The very fact that our thoughts drift back to those friends from our past...goes to prove that we are still linked to them in some small way. Such a pleasant, warm feeling!😊😊
      Thank you so much...your kind words mean a great deal.

      Stay safe and happy.

      Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  4. What a nice post as always 😊 have a lovely day...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much...so happy you enjoyed!😊😊

      Wishing you a fabulous day too...and stay safe, my friend!

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Enjoyed. Great poem to connect and remember.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anthony...so much!
      I'm really happy you enjoyed...😊😊

      Delete
  7. I also tried to learn few words in Arabic once, such a difficult language! Love your poem as always, you write so besutifully about life in every aspect!Have a lovely weekend and stay safe and healthy everyone☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is difficult, isn't it?!
      I did manage to remember a few spoken words that Salim taught me, but as for writing it down...well, absolutely hopeless! 🙄 Lol

      Have a great day...and stay safe, dear friend.

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  8. Some people seem to 'have an ear' for languages and can pick them up quickly … alas that has never been the case with me.

    Another beautiful poem Ygraine, thank you.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Jan...all I remember is a (very) little French that I learned in school...and that is only because it was drummed into me day after day! Lol
      So happy you enjoyed...and thank you so much!😊😊

      Have a lovely day.

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  9. Lovely memories and sentiments beautifully enshrined in poetry as only you can write my dear and beautiful friend.
    You meet the most interesting people and they all become dear to you.

    Big Hugs and Much Love My Dear Friend
    Stay Safe ❤💗❤💗❤💗❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you my dear friend...so very much!😊😊
      I guess I just like people, and find their different cultures and languages fascinating...such a pity I don't seem to possess the capacity to learn foreign languages...🙁 Lol

      Stay safe too, dearest Jan.

      Sending you all my love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  10. Oh WOW...you are so kind!
    My most heartfelt thanks 😊😊

    I hope you are staying safe and happy!

    Hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. How Cool Is That - We Have All Been There Before In One Way Or Another - True Friendships - So Rewarding - Big Hugs

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, long lost friends...I guess we have all been there!
      Many thanks, my friend!😊😊

      Have a great day!

      Big Hugs back 😊

      Delete
  12. Nice post.., a beautiful poem..
    Have a great day Ygraine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you...so kind!😊😊

      Wishing you a good day too...and stay safe, my friend!

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  13. an exquisite tribute to a lovely friend dear Ygraine :)

    we meet many people in life but few friends with their uniqueness stay always in the brightest corner of the heart
    Salim will be remain in your memories forever like shining star :)
    i smiled over your hard try to learn Arabic :)
    stay well and healthy my beautiful friend!
    more blessings to you and your's
    lots of love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you so much, dearest Baili...I am so happy you enjoyed!😊😊
      I have no idea why, but I just can't seem to learn languages. I often become quite annoyed with my brain, because I so long to learn, but just can't! 😬
      Seems I am rather unintelligent 😛 Lol

      Here's wishing much health and happiness to you and your family...

      With lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  14. Beautiful memories and a beautiful tribute!
    Hope you are well Ygraine! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you, Sweetie...so much!😊😊
      I am really happy you enjoyed...

      I do so hope all is well with you and your family.

      Take care and stay safe, my beautiful friend...

      Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  15. amazing, ..when you write i never know if it is your imagination or a true story. Both ways are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my posts.
I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)