Winter's Perfect Remedy – Poem by Nada Adel Sobhi

The scent of hot

Vanilla-flavoured coffee

Enters my nostrils

Fills my mind

Awakening my sleepy senses

Reminds me

Of freshly-baked cakes,

Mouth-watering delights:

Chocolate, caramel, strawberries

Yes winter is coming

And I yearn for the sweet warmth

Of my mint hot chocolate,

Caramel cappuccino

And strawberries

Dipped in chocolate sauce

I take the cup to my lips

It's warm; energising,

Smooth and kind,

A balm

To my early-stage migraine

I breathe the scent, the flavour

Over and over

It eases my throbbing brain,

Wraps me in a cocoon of warmth

And holds me tight

I gaze up at the stars

And call it a night

By: Nada Adel Sobhi

Note: This poem was writing on Friday, 27 October 2017 – a little before winter fully materialised.

One reader told me: "I've never read a more satisfying poem in my entire life!"

Enter the Light – A Takhayyal poem

Let the light seep in,

Softly treading on my skin,

Steps gently falling,

Slowly awakening my numb limbs

My eyes begin to see colours:

Of gold and green,

Blue and orange

Warmth,

A feeling long buried, forgotten

Colour

Streams through my being,

Singing a melody,

Washing away the greyness

Of my world.

Purple, pink and blue

Bathe me, bathe me,

Lights of every hue,

Awaken my soul

Within the crumbling walls

Of this human shell,

Replenish this drained body

Green, orange, lemon, peach

Revive my senses

Encase me in your colourful warmth

Make me get up

And breathe once again.

Written 5 December 2015 at 4:15 am

This piece was inspired by the first picture in Takhayyal 25 prompts. 

Fire

Breathtaking beauty

Swaying seductively

Under a gleaming moon

Dancing to the rhythm

Of the earth and wind;

A mixture

Of orange, red and yellow

Against a black sky,

Dancing to the beat of the world

But more to its own beat.

A sparkling seductress

Swishing and swaying

For all to see;

But come closer

And in agony you will scream.

She will strike like serpent,

Your skin will burn

At the heat of her touch.

She is pretty on her own,

But when approached,

Rages like a lightning storm.

Smooth to touch,

But sudden and quick to bite.

She will warm you,

Shelter you from the prickling cold,

Then envelop you in her arms,

Her flames.

Silently she dances

To the beat of her mind,

Her curves call to you,

Her colours beckon you forth.

She’s hot

- In so many ways.

She’s an artist,

A deceitful painter,

Who gives you love and lust,

Passion and deceit,

Desire and danger.

Love her not,

For she knows only pain;

A silent dancer,

A flickering flame,

Of blue and yellow,

Of orange and red,

Swaying and spinning,

Twisting and turning,

In a cold barren desert,

Under a love-struck moon.