Sanah Ahsan — Ramadan’s Greeting

About this episode

Sanah Ahsan’s poem 'Ramadan’s Greeting' explores the contrasts and joys experienced during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sanah Ahsan’s evocative “Ramadan’s Greeting” brings us into the thoughts and experiences of a person observing the holiest month in Islam. In nine brief couplets, the poet deftly directs our attention towards some of the rich contrasts that emerge at this time — between light and dark, desire and abstinence, self and community — as well as the abiding satisfactions and joys. We invite you to subscribe to Pádraig’s weekly Poetry Unbound Substack, read the Poetry Unbound books and his newest work, Kitchen Hymns, or listen to all our Poetry Unbound episodes.

Topics covered

• Ramadan
• Islam
• poetry
• self and community
• light and dark

Keywords

• couplets
• abstinence
• desire
• satisfaction
• joy

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Kitchen Hymns

Books & works: Ramadan’s Greeting, Poetry Unbound Substack, Poetry Unbound, Kitchen Hymns

More episodes of Poetry Unbound

• Poetry Unbound in Conversation — Rachel Mann and Yomi Ṣode · June 12, 2026 · 56 min
• Poetry Unbound in Conversation — Fady Joudah · May 29, 2026 · 47 min
• Poetry Unbound in Conversation — Don McKay · May 15, 2026 · 45 min
• Poetry Unbound Bonus — Walter de la Mare · March 9, 2026 · 9 min
• Leonard Cohen — Book of Mercy “I,8” · March 6, 2026 · 17 min
• Billy-Ray Belcourt — Subarctica · March 2, 2026 · 18 min