Longing: Inspired by the Law of Gravity
In this poem, Tuqan treats some of the issues in her society subtly through the themes of loneliness and destruction, as well as loss. Her repeated use of the symbol of her own 'shadow,' especially as her only company, reveals her loneliness and almost an abandonment. When she reveals 'I'm home alone with the shadow I cast,' Tuqan reveals that she is lonely, with only herself for company, emphasizing the great abandonment caused by her situation and the state of her country.
When she states, 'Gone is the law of the universe,' this metaphor, speaking of a loss of gravity, represents the loss of a key universal law within her society, something that's key to humanity, yet has slipped away. This basic concept is human relationship and society working alongside each other, as the forces of gravity etc. in the world do so. She continues this metaphor, depicting the theme of loss. As she lists her 'possessions [that] have flown' as 'my chair, my cupboard, the revolving stool,' she shows how even the mundane, yet significant items in her life are affected by this war-like situation within her nation.
The personifying metaphor 'the years / bend my back,' which is emphasized by alliteration, shows the stress of the 'rubble,' and destruction near her home. As she reveals they 'blind [her] to the horizon,' the long-lasting nature of this destruction threatens permanence to her as she struggles to look for hope in the future. This serious tone is contrasted in the bathos of the trivial luxuries she misses, such as 'the smell of coffee,' and 'the company of books.' The latter, being personification, is a developed concept of desired comfort and companionship, or at least simply 'company,' on Tuqan's part. The 'consolation through trouble and joy,' that these books apparently bring present the luxuries of imagination and time to relax and experience literature that we take for granted, yet Turqan can't enjoy.
Turqan also moves between a serious hindrance, 'the curfew,' which 'hurts,' her and 'kills,' her, to a much more serious one, 'the killing of children near [her] home.' This may be addressing the systemic escalation of control to violence and murder within her society.
Turqan uses characterization in this poem to reveal a deep problem in Palestine, a hope seen by some and a courage needed to improve their situation and fight back against those in power. The character she utilizes is Hamza, who is 'sixty five.'
Upon her meeting him, Turqan notes, 'this land was wearing a cloak of mourning in windless silence.' This personification shows the dying state of the land and the sad tone of the land. Hamza's dialogue gives hope and shows '[their] land has a throbbing heart,' which 'doesn't cease to beat.' The heart as an organ beats preserving life, and so this metaphor and personification reveals his belief that there is still hope in the revival and survival of their home.
Hamza is described at the end of the poem as 'the ordinary man as he always was: / always secure in his determination.' This phrase encompasses his character as his house is threatened and destroyed, and his resolve in his response ''in this house my children / and I will live and die / for Palestine.' The repetition of the adjective 'ordinary,' to describe Hamza makes a statement, that in order for the land to survive, action must be taken, especially on the part of everyday, normal people.
