Rate:0.0 / 0 votes

Habibto

Fadwa Al Qasem 1963 (Tripoli)

Free verse
Habibto

I miss my father's voice // Like how the rains smell // on fertile soil // embracing the seeds he planted // Now he is the seed // planting love // in the soil of Valencia // Feeding the oranges from below // Now when the rains fall // the soil smells of his soul // his kisses on my forehead // his voice in my head // He calls me Habibto

About this poem

In January 2021, my father left us. He was 95. And I had two conflicting epiphanies: that 95 years are far too short, and that I have been extremely lucky to have enjoyed my father's presence, love and guidance almost till my 60th year.

Font size:
Collection  PDF     
 

Written on January 07, 2022

Submitted by f.alqasem on March 21, 2023

Modified on April 11, 2023

22 sec read
105

Quick analysis:

Scheme A
Characters 348
Words 74
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 1
Full analysis for Habibto »

Fadwa Al Qasem

I am a Palestinian-Canadian-born in Tripoli-woman with a gypsy's spirit. I'm a self-taught mixed media artist and bilingual author with four published books and contributions to three anthologies, and many short stories and poems published in various traditional literary magazines and online. I am also the creator of I Am What I Art Manifesto. ​ I have a B.A in English Literature (UK) and Two Art Therapy Certificates (USA). more…

All Fadwa Al Qasem poems | Fadwa Al Qasem Books

1 fan

Discuss the poem Habibto with the community...

3 Comments
  • Kaytee
    Kaytee
    What a beautiful tribute to your father. I really love this poem. Great work!
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • karlcfolkes
    karlcfolkes
    What a beautiful celebration by a beloved daughter of her beloved father, ever continuing in his passing as a gardener of nature fertilizing the soil, the trees, the fruits they bear, and all vegetation. And, in the process, continuing to bless his daughter with tender loving kindness. Allah be praised. Peace and love to all nations. 
    LikeReply 21 year ago
  • Teril
    Teril
    So beautiful. I feel that I miss your father's voice as well.
    LikeReply 21 year ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Habibto" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/154468/habibto>.

Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

April 2024

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
3
days
19
hours
24
minutes
121 entries submitted — 29 remaining

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Our awesome collection of

Promoted Poems

»

Browse Poetry.com

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
Who is considered to be the greatest poet of Russia’s golden age?
A Leo Tolstoy
B Vladimir Mayakovsky
C Alexander Pushkin
D Charles Baudelaire