# My Burnoose explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ameen Rihani.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on being born wrapped in a burnoose, which was torn away by a midwife, and laments the loss of this protective amulet, which has left him cursed and powerless against an avenging soul.

## Themes in this chapter

### Exile and Belonging

The narrator feels cursed and alienated after the protective burnoose is torn away, suggesting a loss of belonging and connection to his origins.

### Suffering and Resilience

The narrator endures the curse of gods, jinn, and men, and the physical pain of the burnoose sticking like a Nessus shirt, yet continues to speak of his plight.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker who recounts his birth and the loss of his burnoose amulet.

## Key lines

> Into this world they tell me I was sent Wrapt in a burnoose, which was rudely rent And flung away, by her who first didst touch My steaming flesh; I never loved her much, The surly, stolid, sordid, spectral hag

I was born wrapped in a burnoose, but the midwife tore it off and discarded it; I never cared for that grim, ghostly woman.

_The narrator describes his birth and immediate dislike for the midwife who removed his protective garment._

> But ever since the amulet was torn, The curse of gods and jinn and men I’ve worn; And to my flesh it stuck⁠—a Nessus shirt⁠— Despite the oozing blood, and not spurt Of power, alas! is left me to control The stinging tongue of an avenging soul.

Since the amulet was destroyed, I have been cursed by gods, spirits, and people; it clings to me like the poisoned shirt of Nessus, causing pain and leaving me powerless to silence a vengeful spirit.

_The narrator laments the lasting curse and helplessness resulting from the loss of the burnoose amulet._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se/chapters/my-burnoose
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_2_se/chapters