The Powerful and Reflective Naomi Shihab Nye Poems

Naomi Shihab Nye is a renowned poet who writes with an immense depth of emotion and thoughtfulness. Her poems capture the beauty of everyday life and the profound connections between humans, nature, and the world around us. Nye's work draws inspiration from her experiences growing up between Palestine and the United States, offering a unique and powerful perspective on identity, culture, and the complexities of our shared humanity.

Exploring Identity and Belonging

In many of her poems, Nye delves into themes of identity and belonging. She skillfully explores the challenges faced by individuals navigating different cultures and the search for a sense of home. One example of this theme is found in her evocative poem "Gate A-4."

"Gate A-4"

Wandering around the Albuquerque Airport Terminal, after learning

my flight had been delayed four hours, I heard an announcement:

If anyone in the vicinity of Gate A-4 understands Arabic, please come to the gate immediately.

Well—one pauses these days. Gate A-4 was my own gate. I went there.

An older woman in full traditional Palestinian embroidered dress,

just like my grandma wore, was crumpled to the floor, wailing loudly.

Help, said the flight service person. Talk to her. What is her problem?

We told her the flight was going to be four hours late and she did this.

I put my arm around her and spoke to her haltingly. Shu dow-a, shu-biduck habibti, stani stani schway, min fadlick, sho bit se-wee?

The minute she heard any words she knew—however poorly used

she said—she stopped crying. She thought our flight had been cancelled

entirely. She needed to be in El Paso for major medical treatment the

next day. I said, No, we’re fine, you’ll get there, just later, who is

picking you up? Let’s call him and tell him.

We called her son, I spoke with him in English.

I told him I would stay with his mother till we got on the plane and

would ride next to her. She talked to him. Then we called her other sons

just for the fun of it. Then we called my dad and he and she spoke for a while

in Arabic and found out of course they had ten shared friends.

Then I thought just for the heck of it why not call some Palestinian poets

I know and let them chat with her. This all took up two hours.

She was laughing a lot by then. Telling about her life, patting my knee,

answering questions. She had pulled a sack of homemade mamool

cookies—little powdered sugar crumbly mounds stuffed with dates and

nuts—from her bag—and was offering them to all the women at the gate.

To my amazement, not a single woman declined one. It was like a

sacrament. The traveler from Argentina, the mom from California, the lovely

woman from Laredo—we were all covered with the same powdered sugar.

And smiling. There are no better cookies.

And then the airline broke out the free beverages from huge coolers—

non-alcoholic—and the two little girls for our flight, one African American,

one Mexican American—ran around serving us all apple juice

and lemonade and they were covered with powdered sugar, too.

And I noticed that Shauna, that’s the little girl who took our tickets,

wagged her finger at me. She said, Eat this cookie, eat it, look,

Daddy, eat it. It’s my cookie.

I knew then that airport kindness was a truth

and it became even truer

when our flight was called and the woman hugged me and said,

Merci, شكرا جزيلا.

In this poem, Nye recounts an encounter she had with an older Palestinian woman at an airport. The woman had become distressed upon hearing that their flight was delayed. Nye offers comfort by speaking to her in Arabic and helping her communicate with her family. As their conversation progresses, an unexpected bond is formed between the diverse group of women waiting at the gate. Through the sharing of food, language, and stories, Nye highlights the power of empathy, understanding, and human connection.

Nature's Influence and Transcendence

Another recurring theme in Naomi Shihab Nye's poetry is the influence of nature and its ability to inspire reflection and transcendence. These poems often invite readers to slow down, observe the world around them, and find solace and meaning in the beauty of nature. "The Traveling Onion" is a prime example of this theme.

"The Traveling Onion"

"It is believed that the onion originally

came from India. In Egypt it was an

object of worship —why I haven’t been

able to ascertain. From Egypt the

onion entered Greece and on to Italy,

thence into all of Europe."

— Better Living Cookbook

When I think how far the onion has traveled

just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise

all small forgotten miracles,

crackly paper peeling on the drainboard,

pearly layers in smooth agreement,

the way knife enters onion

and onion falls apart on the chopping block,

a history revealed.

And I would never scold the onion

for causing tears.

It is right that tears fall

for something small and forgotten.

How at meal, we sit to eat,

commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma

but never on the translucence of onion,

now limp, now divided,

or its traditionally honorable career:

For the sake of others,

disappear.

How we admire the way the knife chops,

and forget the root, the gathering,

the curving lines

of stems and leaves,

the exuberance of the onion

in the salsa crock, and the click

it makes when we peel it

like the ticking of a clock

or the slowly opening door of a great mystery

the starts bracing its shoulders for a journey."

In this contemplative poem, Nye reflects on the humble onion and the journey it takes to reach her kitchen. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, she highlights the beauty of this everyday object and the unnoticed miracles that surround us. The poem also touches upon the notion of sacrifice and the onion's selfless existence, as it fully incorporates itself into meals without demanding attention or praise. Nye's words inspire readers to slow down, appreciate the wonders of the natural world, and find joy and meaning in the simplest of things.

Final Thoughts

Naomi Shihab Nye's poems are an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate the interconnectedness of our shared human experience. Through her exquisite use of imagery, language, and storytelling, she explores themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the beauty of the natural world. Her words inspire empathy, understanding, and the celebration of small moments that often go unnoticed. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Nye's works are sure to leave a lasting impact and offer a new perspective on the world around us.