Ramadan 2010: MM Poetry Contest | Semifinalists, Day 4

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | The Finals

Welcome to day four! Now that we’re publishing the semifinalists, please do check out each day’s poems and cast your vote.

Note: Voting for poems published on Day 2 closes today! Cast your vote if you haven’t yet!

Update 3/9/10: Voting for poems published on Day 4 closes today! Cast your vote if you haven’t yet!

A quick recap on how it’s going to be:

1) We’re going to publish four shortlisted poems a day, for five days.
2) Each day, you, the public, vote for the poem that you like best out of the four published.
3) The poems with the most votes from each day will go on to the final round, where a second poll will decide the winner and runners up.

Simple, eh?

As beautiful as the poems all are, and we are indeed experiencing the Holy month of Ramadan, the spirit of the competition can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why here’s a simple reminder to keep it clean, and wholesome, healthy competitiveness that adds to the fun but does not hurt anyone in anyway.

Without further ado, here’s the fourth group of semifinalists for your pleasurable reading.

Please don’t forget to vote!

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The Maghreb Moment: A Ramadan Poem
By: Adem Carroll

It is within you. And it comes again

Between us—

The sweet, mysterious breath of

Springtime rain;

The inner heat of secret light

Like the green within the flame.

No fear, no paperwork or mountaintop,

No borders stop this Ramadan;

Witness the heart’s uncertain trek towards waking

Through seasons, sands– small wandering child with drum.

Come home, my heart, this evening

As loved ones gather in the kitchen warm with steam;

Our loving mother is the cook

And God is He who sent the Book to wake us from this dream.

In need we find the treasure:

Beyond consuming or consumed,

We may drink the green life here

Before we are entombed.

In the desert, “ain,” the word for eye, oasis is the same—

But as one will empty one will fill.

Yet now these evenings out of the darkness comes

All life to share the source in peace…

And the drums are still.

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Untitled
by Yusuf Ravat

Can a choice make a difference?

Does asking your Lord help?

Time passes by, our opportunities lessen.

All chained up no one to distract you, all blame is pointed at you.

The few moments where our  test has a breeze.

What will one do relax or work twice as hard?

If there was every a time to help mankind.

Weather it is to help, or tell them the truth.

This golden opportunity only comes once a year.

Only our Master knows if will see next years iftaar.

From one participant to another.

Don’t just help yourself this month, help others.

Don’t Limit Ramadaan to just Ibaadah of the self.

Don’t limit the power of Allah.

Don’t think small think Eternity.

We are the Creation of The King of Mankind.

We are able to do more than just read and pray.

The sons of Adam can rise above the angels.

The race made from clay are meant to compete with each other.

Strive Abdullah, Sweat Abdullah, Cry Abdullah, Bleed Abdullah.

Do it all with a purpose and leave with a smile.

To Allah do we belong and to him do we return.

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