The First Heartbeat Poem by Mohammad Younus

The first heartbeat—
when I broke away from the umbilical cord,
cradled beside my mother.
My bare hands, pure eyes,
fixed as if nailed to her face.
I knew her, even then—
from the womb where she bore me,
bearing hardship upon hardship
for my growth, by heaven's design.
She pleased me in silence,
feeding me her blood.

She touched my fragile wrists—
subtly, I read the prophecy.
And when my heart faltered,
she tenderly struck my cheek,
restoring its rhythm.

She drew me close,
pressing me to her vast chest.
I searched for the milk
from the twin springs
that guided me back to her love—
a love I had known
deep within her womb.

Her fingers traced my soft hair,
her green words and thoughts
taught me the names of all things—
names the angels themselves did not know.

Wrapped in a blanket woven
from golden threads of her dreams,
I rested in her lap,
my soul at ease,
rediscovering the ecstasy
of her divine lullabies.

Kiss my temples,
each side of my head,
near the ears that still echo
with that sacred melody.
Let me feel the glow
of your broad shadow,
a shield over my being.

—MyKoul

Line-by-line interpretation