Restless Thoughts and the Labyrinths of Darkness
by Najah Ra'ed Mtoor
Genre: Poetry
Written by Najah Ra'ed Mtoor and narrated by Varada Sethu
This audio ©2026 Najah Ra'ed Mtoor
A poignant description of an insomniac, in which the poet's soul is revealed as a sanctuary of sorrow in the sanctuary of the night. The meanings of the poem revolve around the struggle of the restless mind and a heart burdened with memories until it is unable to bear them. In it, dawn turns from a source of hope to a lamp that reveals the pains of the soul, so that tears at the end are not mere crying, but an ink that records the biographies of the departed, and a creed that connects the poet to the ruins of their past.
about the author
In the prime of her youth, Najah stands as an artist who weaves dignity from her tranquility and a guiding principle for life from her composure. She is a daughter of the Holy Land, whose roots of belonging are deeply embedded in the Palestinian soil, so that she carries her homeland in her heart wherever she goes.
Between the covers of a book, she finds her world, and with the scratching of her pen she paints dreams that transcend the horizon. She has made reading nourishment for her mind and writing an outlet for her soul, which yearns for beauty. A tranquility akin to the serenity of dawn dwells within her, and a resolve that draws its strength from the resilient olive trees of its land.
Her dreams will only be complete with a near victory, when the sun of freedom rises over Palestine, the shackles of occupation are broken, peace prevails throughout the world, and her tender wishes become a reality, when she lives in a free and dignified homeland, worthy of her pure her heart and the depth of her aspirations.
Najah on Instagram: instagram.com/nj.48y/
about the narrator
Varada Sethu is a British-Indian actor whose TV credits include hit the series Doctor Who, Hard Sun, and Strike Back: Vendetta. However, Varada is best known as Cinta Kaz in the Disney+ production Star Wars: Andor.
On the big screen Varada can be seen in Jurassic World Dominion, I Came By and One Hundred Nights of Hero among many other features.
Varada will be appearing in the upcoming BBC period drama The Other Bennett Sister, released in 2026.
Varada Sethu Instagram: instagram.com/varadasethu/