Saudade, Yet Still

A tapestry of poems exploring profound loss, encouraging you to (re)imagine a future self that is stronger and wiser.

My Books

(🌟NEW) Saudade, Yet Still

front cover of my second poetry book, 'Saudade, Yet Still'

Saudade [sou'dädə]

“Saudade is a vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist [...]”

— Aubrey F. G. Bell

Through snapshots of time, media, dreams, memories, and spirituality, Ahmed Ayoub's second poetry collection explores loss and oblivion, restoration and resolution. Saudade, Yet Still is a tapestry of poems that acknowledges the pain of losing what is around you and within you, then encourages you to (re)imagine a future self that is stronger and wiser.

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Kintsugi Through a Kaleidoscope

front cover of my debut poetry book, 'Kintsugi Through a Kaleidoscope'

金継ぎ / Kintsugi [kin-tsoo-gee]

(noun) the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum.

This debut poetry collection is an expression of authenticity in an increasingly curated society. Its contents explore loneliness, regret, anger, grief, and depression while interrogating the idea of hiding these very emotions even from ourselves. Like the concept of kintsugi, people are just as beautiful because of their struggles and imperfections, rather than in spite of them.

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Other Featured Works

After Opus

In honor of the late Ryuichi Sakamoto

Adagio,
Arpeggio,
Accelerando and accents,
crests and troughs,
as he played his compositions
vigorous or feeble,
his majestic brain brought forth
sound that flows into me,
my hands move across the keys
with his,
my head nodding along—

From inception to coda,
I codify art in my essence,
as you did here, and do beyond,
I strike keys as chords,
In your honor, in honor of
the composers and writers,
the artists and griots,
I offer in love, my words,
to you,
for you,
for the silent,
for the silenced,
for Allah.

Black & white poster of Ryuichi Sakamoto playing piano, for his final film and performance, 'Opus'
Black & white poster of Ryuichi Sakamoto playing piano, for his final film and performance, 'Opus'

Look Up

a photo I took of the Empire State Building with the top fading into the rainy cloudy light grey sky

Empire State fading;
a sign that nothing lasts.
Good or bad, look up.

Vision

a photo I took of the Sun rising over the Red Sea in Hurghada, Egypt

weary, foggy haze,
still Sol shines on, lighting
perhaps better paths

Illumination

a photo I took of the sidewalk as a thunderstorm passed, downtown NYC

White light at the end!
Even if you are alone,
Press on towards hope.