LENA ALYAAN

author ~ poet ~ comic artist

Ramadan

The holiest month of the year has come,
A month where you’re hungry, tired and numb,
More worship expected throughout your day,
Which means less time to relax and to play,
It’s a month where hobbies take a back seat,
In favor of prayer and spiritual retreats.

You wake up pre-dawn, and go to sleep late,
And still have to work in your worn-out state.
The days feel longer, and day jobs are rough,
And you’re of out touch with trends and stuff.
You don’t hear the gossip or watch the shows,
You spend less time on music and clothes.

You’d think the month would be met with dread,
You’d think displeasure would be widespread.
But quite the opposite is true,
Everyone’s happy and excited too,
Despite incoming toil, magic’s in the air,
No one is dreading the hunger or the prayer,
Everyone’s thrilled to get the grind in motion,
There’s celebration and renewed devotion,
Because in spite of all things that make it tough,
It’s a month of unity and a month of love,
A month of gatherings upon the setting sun,
To pray and to eat with everyone,
You get closer to family, friends, and God,
And heal a self that’s broken and flawed,
And when it’s over, it’s like… where has it gone?
We want you back, dear Ramadan.