Ode To The Arabic Tongue

• Mariam Elshweikh, Grade 10, Australian International Academy
• Poetry
• 2022

Excellence Award in the 'National Treasures 2022' competition

Within your realm Hamlet chooses to be,
Ottoman acropolis besieges thee,
Land of songbirds soaring free.
Rivers of musk carry content souls,
Intricate calligraphy on ancient scrolls,
The power you hold controls.
Terrain of palm trees and glorious sun,
Richer than all the wealth of Babylon,
You're the charm of the seas and your flaws are none.
The phoenix or the flame my love?
You came first from high above.
My very stability when push comes to shove.
So I behold your horizon on days sweet and free,
Adrift on the thought on how it came to be
That this domain passed down to me.