Love2012
Mom
A miniature portrait of a mother's face, where every line holds a book, a hope, a love — Alareer's tender counterpoint to the poetry of siege.
On Ma’s face There is a book And life’s preface. Between these lines and in these two caves Life dwells.
(excerpt)
About this poem
Dated July 30, 2012, “Mom” is one of Refaat Alareer’s shortest lyrics: a mother’s face read like a book, its lines dwelling places for hope, love, and life. The poem was collected posthumously in If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose (OR Books, 2024), compiled by Yousef M. Aljamal.