If only the dream could..

"If only the dream could quench the heart..."

If only the dream could quench the heart...

And if only adornment could replace beauty...

And if only clothing could elevate a person's worth...

And if only fame could bring out the strong...

Where are the likes of Shaddad bin Ad? He who built a remarkable palace.

And where is the Pharaoh who claimed divinity over his subjects?

Where is Haman, where is Qarun, and where are the others?

If only skimming through newspapers could replace culture...

And if only networking could build a civilization's cornerstone...

And if only a smile could conceal the pain...

You cannot approach the truth

While you are on the lifeless beach rock,

Or in the dry depths of a well,

Pyramid-like, as domineering as you.

You cannot sail...

Or resist...

You cannot rise to the stars in the sky.

You cannot hear the water, the sand, nor humanity...

You cannot breathe the scent of basil,

And you cannot be free,

Yet your aim is a cloud of obscurity.

Consult the heartbeats of your heart,

Ask your soul about the reality of your Lord's dominion,

You will see the beauty of your insight.

The Quest for Truth: Beyond Illusions and Vanity

The poem "If only the dream could quench the heart..." invites us to ponder the profound yearning for substance and meaning in a world often preoccupied with superficial illusions. It explores the elusive nature of dreams, the inadequacy of external adornments, and the limitations of fame in defining true strength. Through historical references and contemporary metaphors, the poet critiques the misplaced values of society and beckons us to seek a deeper understanding of reality.

The opening lines resonate with a poignant desire for more profound fulfillment, expressing the longing for dreams that go beyond mere illusions and have the power to quench the heart's deepest thirst. The poet questions the efficacy of external adornment in replacing genuine beauty and challenges the notion that clothing alone can elevate a person's worth. The futility of relying on fame to bring out inner strength is also underscored, setting the stage for a reflective exploration.

The poet invokes historical figures like Shaddad bin Ad, the builder of a remarkable palace, and the Pharaoh who claimed divinity, posing a rhetorical query about their whereabouts. This serves as a metaphorical journey through the annals of history, questioning the transient nature of worldly power and eminence. The absence of characters like Haman and Qarun further emphasizes the ephemeral nature of materialistic pursuits.

The poem then shifts its focus to contemporary societal values, critiquing the notion that skimming through newspapers could replace genuine cultural understanding. The metaphor of networking as a cornerstone of civilization challenges the modern emphasis on surface-level connections over substantive contributions. The poet questions whether a smile can genuinely conceal the deeper pains and complexities of life.

The subsequent verses paint a vivid picture of the limitations imposed by a lifeless beach rock and the dry depths of a well, symbolizing the inability to approach truth while confined within a narrow perspective. The metaphor of a pyramid reflects the imposing yet constrained nature of an individual's existence. The inability to sail, resist, or rise to the stars in the sky highlights the constraints of a life devoid of connection to the broader truths of existence.

The sensory imagery employed in describing the inability to hear water, sand, humanity, and breathe the scent of basil adds depth to the exploration of limitation. The paradoxical aim for a "cloud of obscurity" suggests a yearning for depth and mystery in a world often fixated on superficial clarity.

The poet then advises consulting the heartbeats of one's heart, urging introspection and a deeper connection with the soul. By asking the soul about the reality of the Lord's dominion, the poet suggests that true insight and beauty are found in understanding and aligning oneself with the divine.

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