لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَحمِلَ نَفسي

Hussein Ali Al-MahalbiArabic6 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَحمِلَ نَفسي
I was not one to carry myself
يا لنَفسي التي تَلينُ وتُكسَرْ
Oh, my soul that softens and breaks
لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَخرُجَ مِنِّي
I was not one to leave myself
ألفُ ذاتٍ في داخِلي تَتَشَجَّرْ
A thousand selves within me branch out
جِئتُ مِن غَيرِ مَوعدٍ لحَيَاتي
I came without an appointment for my life
فرَأَيتُ الحياةَ في غَيرِ مَظهَرْ
And saw life in a different appearance
 

Explanation

This poem by Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi delves into the theme of self-identity and the internal struggle of understanding one's own multiplicity. The poet begins by expressing a sense of fragmentation, acknowledging that he is not a singular entity capable of carrying his own burdens. Instead, he reveals the complexity within, where multiple identities coexist and branch out like a tree. The poet reflects on his unexpected arrival into life, suggesting a lack of control over his existence and the realization that life presents itself in various forms, challenging his perceptions. The poem uses imagery of branching and transformation to convey the fluidity and complexity of the self, inviting readers to contemplate their own identities.

Word Dictionary25

WordIn ArabicIn EnglishPron.
لمماdid notlam
أكُنْكنتwasakun
واحدًافردًاonewahidan
لأَحمِلَلأرفعto carryla'ahmila
نَفسيذاتيmyselfnafsi
ياأداة نداءOya
لنَفسيلذاتيmy soullinafsi
التيالتيwhichallati
تَلينُتضعفsoftenstalinu
وتُكسَرْوتحطمand breakswatuksar
لأَخرُجَلأغادرto leavela'akhruja
مِنِّيمن ذاتيfrom myselfminni
ألفُكثيرthousandalfu
ذاتٍشخصيةselvesdhatin
فيفيinsidefi
داخِليفي داخليwithin medakhili
تَتَشَجَّرْتتفرعbranch outtatachajjar
جِئتُوصلتI camejitu
مِنمنfrommin
غَيرِبشكل مختلفdifferentghayri
مَوعدٍموعد محددappointmentmaw'id
لحَيَاتيلحياتيfor my existencelihayati
فرَأَيتُفشاهدتand sawfara'aytu
الحياةَالوجودlifealhayat
مَظهَرْشكلappearancemazhar

Poet & Context

EraContemporary

Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi is a Yemeni poet born in 2002 in Al Hudaydah. He began writing poetry at the age of ten, showcasing an early talent and a clear inclination towards expression.


WhenContemporary period
WhyThe poem reflects on the complexity of self-identity and the multiplicity within an individual. It explores themes of introspection and existential contemplation.
FormModern Arabic Poetry

Themes & More

IdentityIntrospectionExistentialism
Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery of branching selves to convey complexity.Metaphor: The multiple selves within the poet symbolize internal conflict and identity.Personification: The soul is given human-like qualities of softening and breaking.
لم أكُنْ واحدًا لأَحمِلَ نَفسي by Hussein Ali Al-Mahalbi — Poem, Translation & Meaning