Maaon kai Khwaab (Dreams of Mothers):
Mothers' Dreams beautifully captures the tender, selfless hopes a mother has for her child. From dreaming of nourishing meals and protecting their health to offering comfort through massages and care, the poem reflects the everyday sacrifices mothers make. These dreams, often unseen or unnoticed by others, showcase the depth of a mother’s love and devotion. A heartfelt tribute to the quiet, yet powerful, role of motherhood.
Original Urdu Version:
ماؤں کے خواب
English Translation:
Mothers' Dreams
The dream of filling bread with a blend of ghee and sugar,
Mothers see such dreams.
Don't Know, such dreams for another human to see,
Why, are impossible,
Why is it unnecessary?
To prevent eyesight weakness ever, therefore,
The dream of filling kohl into a child's eyes,
by filling one whole Khol stick,
Mothers dream such bright dreams.
Don't Know, such dreams for another human to see,
Why, are impossible,
Why is it unnecessary?
Drying the head or scalp, and danger from this dryness,
And the possibility of an oil massage to fix it,
And true dreams of all such possibilities
Mothers dream such dreams.
Don't Know, such dreams for another human to see,
Why, are impossible,
Why is it unnecessary?
The dream of the blanket coming off the child on cold nights,
The dream of sweat coming on hot nights,
The dream of fanning the child,
The dream of muscles aching after playing,
And the dream of a massage,
The dream of a headache after excessive reading,
The dream of feeding milk,
The dream of the child's eyes straining in the dim light of a room,
And the dream of lighting up their world,
All these good and scary dreams,
Mothers see such dreams.
Don't Know, such dreams for another human to see again,
Why, are impossible,
Why is it unnecessary?
~ Arslan Ahmed, Book: Gandum, Take a Look at Reviews
(Khol: Surma, a traditional, historical, religious make-up item)
Critical Analysis of "Mothers' Dreams" by Arslan Ahmed
Arslan Ahmed's "Mothers' Dreams" is a poignant poem that captures the essence of a mother’s love, care, and sacrifice. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt symbolism, Ahmed explores the dreams mothers have for their children—dreams filled with protection, nurturing, and emotional depth. The poem offers a rich reflection on maternal instincts and the selfless devotion that defines motherhood. Let’s dive deeper into the key themes, symbolism, and poetic devices used in the poem.
The Theme of Maternal Love and Protection
The central theme of "Mothers' Dreams" revolves around the unconditional love and protection mothers feel for their children. Each stanza presents a different dream, focusing on various aspects of maternal care. From dreams of feeding and clothing to protecting a child from cold and providing warmth, these actions are symbolic of a mother’s continuous concern for her child’s well-being.
For example, the opening lines describe the dream of a mother filling bread with ghee and sugar:
"The dream of filling bread with a blend of ghee and sugar,
Mothers see such dreams."
This image of bread with ghee and sugar represents not just physical sustenance, but emotional nourishment—comfort, love, and care. This also portrays Punjabi culture through imagery about Churi without using the word Churi. The repetition of "Mothers see such dreams" reinforces the idea that these dreams are universal among all mothers.
The Symbolism of Everyday Actions
Throughout the poem, Ahmed uses simple, everyday maternal actions as metaphors for deeper emotions. One example is the image of a mother filling kohl into her child's eyes. Kohl has cultural significance, often symbolizing beauty and protection, and in this case, it represents a mother’s desire to safeguard her child from harm:
"The dream of filling kohl into a child's eyes,
by filling one whole kohl stick,
Mothers dream such bright dreams."
This dream symbolizes not only the mother’s protective instinct but also her wish for her child to remain healthy and safe from the hardships of the world.
Rhetorical Questions and Societal Critique
A striking feature of the poem is the use of rhetorical questions that challenge the value society places on these dreams. After each stanza, Ahmed asks:
"Don't Know, such dreams for another human to see,
Why, are impossible,
Why is it unnecessary?"
These questions highlight how society often overlooks or undervalues the dreams and sacrifices mothers make for their children. It reflects a feeling of frustration as the poet wonders why these acts of love and protection are often seen as trivial or unimportant.
Everyday Comforts and Care
The poem’s richness lies in the portrayal of both small and significant gestures that define a mother’s daily life. From dreams of the child’s comfort—whether it’s keeping them warm during cold nights or cooling them during hot ones—to dreams of providing nourishment, the poem paints a picture of a mother’s constant care:
"The dream of the blanket coming off the child on cold nights,
The dream of sweat coming on hot nights,
The dream of fanning the child."
These dreams are simple yet significant, representing a mother’s commitment to ensuring her child's well-being in every aspect of life.
Dreams of the Future and the Fear of Loss
The poem also reflects a mother's hope for her child’s future, interwoven with a sense of fear and uncertainty. Ahmed describes how a mother dreams of her child’s future happiness and success, but also fears the challenges and struggles they might face. This duality of hope and fear is echoed in lines like:
"All these good and scary dreams,
Mothers see such dreams."
These dreams are a testament to the emotional complexity of motherhood, where joy and fear coexist as mothers navigate the uncertainties of raising their children.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Maternal Sacrifice
In "Mothers' Dreams", Arslan Ahmed offers a powerful tribute to the selfless love and sacrifice that define a mother’s role. The poem emphasizes that while the dreams of mothers may seem small or trivial to others, they are, in fact, the very essence of what it means to be a mother. Through vivid metaphors and reflective questions, Ahmed encourages readers to appreciate the silent, often unnoticed sacrifices that mothers make for their children every day.
This poem reminds us that these dreams—whether big or small—are fundamental to shaping the lives of children and ensuring their happiness, health, and safety. By shining a light on the dreams of mothers, Ahmed elevates them from the mundane to the profound, urging us to recognize the depth and significance of a mother’s love. This poem is a successful tribute to motherhood and shows that every day is Mother's Day rather than 11 May of every year as Mother's Day.
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