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POEM: Freedom

Some fear marriage is a prison
When it is actually freedom
Freedom for the loving soul, who seeks security and fulfilment
Who is otherwise shackled by uncertainties and inhibitions
Freedom for the cautious heart, who seeks love and acceptance
Who is otherwise caged by its own defences
Freedom for the confused mind, who seeks clarity and focus
Who is otherwise chained by indecision and inconsistencies
Freedom for the virtuous senses, who seek purity in pleasure
Who are otherwise restrained in their modesty before God.

POEM: The silence of friends

Is the silence deafening?
You seem anxious as you sprinkle your words in the stillness of this quiet room.

Is the silence comforting?
You seem peaceful as I watch you float from this place to a private world of your own.

Is the silence beautiful?
You seem pleased as you share this moment of quiet contemplation.

POEM: Myself

I had been searching, unsure for so long,
But I found myself recently;
It wasn’t a pleasant experience,
To find what I did not like to see.

I had struggled for so long, suppressing,
What I suppose was always me,
What I do not like to see,
From which I wish to be free.

POEM: This Heart

Oh my Lord,
keep this heart on Deen;
it struggles to remain constant, forever seeking
that soul with whom it's been.

So, dear Lord,
protect this fluttering heart;
it ceaselessly wavers, in hope as it searches
for that missing, complementary part.

And, my Lord,
answer this heart's cries;
help it see clearly beyond the glitter
that often dazzles its eyes.

And, dear Lord,
strengthen this heart in me;
give it patience while it must wait
for the one who holds its key.

Finally, my Lord,
make this heart clear,
about ALL that will bring it near
and will save it from weary tears.

Purchase "Unveiling" to read more of my poetry

POEM: The Dawn of Mercy

I was inspired to write this while being part of the Celebrate Mercy movement.

* * * * *

Did you know there is Wisdom in the alternation of the days
In the setting of the moon as the sun casts out its rays?
Did you know there is an Answer
To the Question that burns in our souls?

Rajo Fundraiser Performance - the story they didn't know...

I look at the clock - 12:20pm, implying there is less than six hours before I am expected at Morley Recreation Centre for the Rajo Fundraiser! I take a deep breath and glance at the printout of the poem I have written just for the night.

I still remember my initial telephone conversation with Alim those many weeks ago; I remember listening to him

Be careful what you wish for

I made a discovery on 11 June 2012.

I suppose this idea had been brewing in my mind for some time, but it was on this day that those small puzzle pieces of the past finally fell into place.

I discovered that I have been focussing on the wrong thing all this time. Being an emerging writer, trying to get a 'readership' is hard work - but it occurred to me on 11 June that

Morning Pages

On the 1 June 2012, a friend and I decided to begin "Morning Pages". What a fascinating journey it has been...

When I was younger, in primary and high-school, I used to keep a diary and write in it almost every day - but Morning Pages has been a completely new experience, so valuable for both my personal and work life.

I believe that when you decide on a goal to work towards and put it in writing, God helps you along your journey and Wills people and opportunities to cross your path that reinforce you in working towards your dreams.
So it was by 'chance' that

I love the number 13 =)

I love the number 13, especially when it falls on a Friday. It's an occasion that doesn't happen very often, so I think it's a time worth celebrating!

So, until Friday 13th of this month of July, my book will be on sale - 50% off!

To get your copy, simply:

POEM: Forever Dreaming

I just had the great pleasure of speaking to a lively bunch of my peers, from the Young Women's Leadership Program, facilitated by Alicia Curtis. This is a poem from my book that I had hoped they would relate to in their own journeys towards the realisation of their dreams.

* * *

Have you ever had a dream
That you never dared believe you could reach
That just too 'impossible' it seemed
And so only to Him, of those wishes, you would speak.

Yet have you arisen one day
From restless, unfulfilled sleep
To suddenly be feeling the rays
Of a hope you had hidden deep.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I would describe myself as a "blur" (which appears to make Wajma go into hysterics...hmm I haven't figured out why as yet...) - because I find I have just far TOO many RANDOM/varied/disconnected interests/passions. I find I enjoy doing/experiencing/learning about too many RANDOM things. I feel like a piece of me is/wants to be everywhere at once. And so I find great difficulty focusing my energies into just one thing...and thus, I am a BLUR :)
...And yet, upon reflection, I think I've worked out a purpose behind/connection between my otherwise apparent RANDOMness... Wallahu 'Alam :)

2. The one thing those who know me well will agree on as a quality I possess is: I am CRAZY! :P I am unpredictable

The Story Behind my First Book

Looking back, I am realising that it was not the days, but the pivotal moments that changed the course of my life.

After working in the community sector for nearly four years, I reached a stage where I felt I had exhausted my purpose and decided to only work till the end of my contract, but I was still unsure of what new direction to take.

I still remember the moment,

Listen and Trust

I was asked to talk at an International Women's Day event, held at the University of Western Australia. Truthfully, I was still trying to overcome a stubborn cough the past month. I don't know what I was thinking when I accepted the request; I guess I thought those extra 4 days before the event date itself may be enough time to recover...

Well, it wasn't! But do you know what the strange thing was?
The moment I walked in the lecture theatre

Beautiful Beginnings

Last night, I was privileged to witness the humble beginnings of Perth's first Youth Poetry Slam, hosted by City of Stirling's Sasa Mentorship Program.

I truly cannot find the words to describe what a beautiful night it was. The brave and talented youth who shared a part of their soul through their poetic words left a lasting impression on us all.
I'm honestly struggling to write complete sentences when I'm still left with that sweet 'feeling', like that sweet after-taste that lingers in your mouth after eating something appetising...

Two of the poets who performed last night feature in the promo film about the event, which you can view from my YouTube channel. Also in this video, I recite my poem, "Mother" that can be found in my book.

I am so excited about what is to come!
If you would like to be kept up to date about upcoming events I'm involved in, follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page.

Why Poetry?

Writing in general has always been a source of comfort for me, theraputic in its process. But Poetry in particular is an especially unique avenue of expression that is both obvious yet mysterious, in which a handful of words sequenced in well-thought-out ways can have meanings deeper than the ocean. Poets are Artists, Paper their Canvas, Pen their Brush, and Words their Paint in all the colours of the rainbow.

Funnily enough, a poem I wrote recently, titled "My Silent Friend" describes exactly why I love Poetry as a form of expression.
In this poem, I talk about how writing/poetry is my Silent Friend who, "knows my secrets, the depth of my joys and sorrows; when others see my deceiving faces, only she and God hears of my hidden truths." (i.e. sometimes I may appear my normal self to the outside world, but Poetry learns of what may be heavy on my mind).

I go on to describe how poetry understands me and how exhausting

The Gift of Poetry

It's amazing how well-chosen words can create more meaning around something. My close friends all know that I like accompanying a gift with words to make the gift more memorable.
I once gave one of my single friends (who loved Brad Pitt and who hated being set-up by mutual friends) a t-shirt that said "Mrs Pitt", along with a note, "Just a small gift that I thought would be useful for you the next time someone tries to set you up; simply turn their attention to the words on your t-shirt and say, "Sorry, I'm taken." :-)

Other times, it is the words themselves that are priceless and the greatest gift you can give.

TIP: Acrostic Poetry using a person's name can be a great gift (well, if the person is the type who appreciates words). In general, having a letter to start the lines of your poem makes it quite a useful tool to give yourself a cue when you find yourself stuck on how to begin.

Here is an example of a poem I wrote and framed for a good friend and work colleague named Isabella.

I ntelligent, intuitive
S oft in speech

When Poetry was born (in my life at least)

To state the obvious, this week's theme is: Poetry

Let me begin by first looking back and recollecting the very first time I became interested in and began writing poetry...

To be honest, it was that long ago that I can't pinpoint the exact moment I began. However, I would say, as soon as I had learnt how to rhyme, I was writing poetry. One memory relating to poetry that sticks out in my mind was when I was in Year 3 in Primary School and I had to submit a poem to my teacher for Creative Writing. I still remember the opening lines of my silly, random poem that I had come up with on the spot:

Kenny the kicking kangaroo,

Purpose

I really don't like doing things aimlessly, without purpose... Even keeping this blog. Although my initial purpose for starting and keeping this blog going was for the sake of writing itself, I am realising that 'aimless writing' isn't enough of a purpose to motivate me to pick up my phone or switch on my laptop and start blogging.

There needs to be something more...

Perhaps a good place to start is looking at what makes me feel good, what interests and/or inspires me?

From the top of my head:

My Deen Islam
Love
Cars
Chocolate
HipHop

How we roll

I am realising that when you are a Muslim Hijabi chick, rollin' in City of Gosnells, you need to be armed with some HipHop...

I was on Tonkin Hwy a moment earlier in slow moving traffic when my ears caught the exchange between a bunch of young males (keyword: "males"), driving on the right lane beside me. They spoke and laughed loudly, having a conversation I think they intended for me to hear.