Author: Malakkc

i'm a survivorof 2 civilwars, Ghana, Lebanon, all before the age of 11. The result was immigration to 3 continents as a teen, which leaves an influence upon the soul that cries out for justice. My poetry and writing reflect that and more.

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Butter and sugar sandwich

Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

Whenever I have a pita, butter, sugar sandwich, or sweetened condensed milk, I feel like I’m 7 years old again. I’ve always had a sweet tooth that hasn’t changed!

I still love my sweets, but my palate has evolved to become a bit more sophisticated. Now, I love sweets, but those homemade, like the mamoul I made for the upcoming Eid. Left is a semolina cookie stuffed with walnuts, sugar, and orange Blossom water; right, date semolina cookie. The smell sent me back 4 decades as my mom used to do the same, still does.

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Never give up

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

I’m tenacious about things I believe in. Plus, if I know I’m capable of achieving a goal, I work hard, even if it means I fail several times before attaining my objective. Case in point, my writing!

Author of poetry book, Perfectly Flawed, poetry for change

https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518

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Oh Father



Farther, frantic, frivolous, funny
Arbitrary, amazing, amorous, angry
Terrified, terrific, tutor, tumble, true
Healing, hearty, heavenly, hotheaded
Embrace, empower, enormous, encouraging
Rare, rowdy, resolute, resolved, remembered

All of these and more apply to a Father.
A day a year is never enough to appreciate
All he does for his family.
Sacrifice is his middle name,
Silent support is his first,
Power and strength are his last name,
A pillar of wisdom is his endgame.

Author of poetry book, Perfectly Flawed https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518

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Holding my baby

Describe one of your favorite moments.

I waited 9 months to meet her. Through my swollen belly, cramps, hot flashes, sweats, and excruciating pain, I finally got to hold her, Fida is her name. She’ll be 29 at the end of August, but the second she was placed in my arms, she became all mine. Her smell, her tiny fingers, toes, arms, tummy, diapers, and sweet voice. Even when she cried, she was quiet, calm, and too cute for her own good. She made me a mother, teacher, friend, mentor, who surpassed her loving mother.

That moment is still ingrained in my heart and mind. I take it out when I’m down, peruse the happiness, joy, fear, and the miracle of birth, and know that the world will make a positive turn, in which it will revere the family unit, it’s simplicity and loyalty.

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Autumn, fall

What is your favorite season of year? Why?

It’s the season when leaves fall and the changing colors in the scenery is breathtaking. The reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and greens are such a wondrous eye opener for the time when things fall, they then take the time to slumber, rejuvenate, and soak up nutrients of the fall. Never fear, after each fall, there’s a renewal that’s even more astounding in its diversity that calls itself mother nature.

Love its moods, strengths,and giving nature that gives us clean air, beauty, and a healthy respect for mother’s power over us.

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Smile 😃

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

My tagline would be: smile!. From this simple movement, requiring only 13 muscles, while a frown demands 47, one can extrapolate that smiling is a more natural expression and promotes greater happiness in self and others. I have a philosophy: “A smile a day, keeps the doctor away!” Yes, I’ve appropriated a change in the actual saying, but it’s a Writer’s prerogative to do so!

Perhaps some will feel that I’m being too simplistic, but before you judge, try it out and see the reactions you get!

SMILE

Smile willingly and spread happiness Milling around, hoping to find an Interaction that lifts hopes and dreams, Living vicariously through a SMILE Empowering others to drop depression in a file.

Author of poetry book, Perfectly Flawed, poetry for change. https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518

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People who support you

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

Whether you’re poor or rich, if your support system doesn’t exist, you are more likely to fail than succeed. Yes, there are exceptions, those who overcome extreme adversity without any familial or grounding support, as their motivation is an innate need to be better than what they grew up in. However, I believe that most people need a support system in order to live a good life. From them, s(he) can extract the needed motivation that will help push them through difficulties and living a good rounded life.

https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518
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Dream chocolate bar

Describe your dream chocolate bar.

I’m already salivating just thinking about it!  The chocolate has to have a smooth, rich taste that coats your tongue, leaving an after taste of cocoa sweetness that will keep my happy endorphins doing cartwheels. When I’m craving chocolate,  I prefer it to have no other aromas or tastes added to it, or it will take away from the flavor of the chocolate. 

I’ve always been like a kid at the candy store when I search for just the right choice of chocolate bar when I need it most. That’s why I’ve written an Accrostic poem for CHOCOLATE

CHOCOLATE

Crave choco’s chocolate, Having a hit is heavenly indeed Over the open bar Covered in crumbs of chocolate, the Overely delicate flavor Leaves nothing to be desired. Ate, eat, happily jumping Through the hoops of a sugar high while Every child, man, and woman love their chocolate fix.

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Public speaking

What fears have you overcome and how?

As a mother, I wanted to have the right tools to better raise my kids, so I went back to university and got a BA in English Literature, a Teaching Diploma, and an MA in Comparative English Literature. For me, all 3 were a way to increase my knowledge, academic, psychology, teaching, and being a better mother. The degrees opened the window for knowledge acquisition, and I moved beyond the academic by becoming a teacher, afraid of being in front of a classroom. My fear was centered around public speaking, not teaching per se, which was a relief. The fact that I was able to connect with my students and have a meaningful relationship with my kids helped get out of my comfort zone. I’m still shy and prefer being in my own head, especially after I started writing, but my fear has been put to rest, thankfully.

Author of poetry book, Perfectly Flawed: poetry for change.

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Honesty and support

What quality do you value most in a friend?

The most important qualities in a friend, to me, are honesty and unfailing support no matter the situation. Those 2 are the building blocks of true friendships, for then, acceptance of faults and misbehavior become easily explainable and forgivable.

Friends

Fiendishly friendly, forever fearless, fever
Reverent, relief, reliable, readier
Involved, immovable, impossible, independent,
Empower, everlasting, encouraging, endearing,
Needing not lonely, knowing, negotiation,
Decisive, dragon-like, dangerous,
Solid, sturdy, subtle, spoken, spontaneous,

All are parts of being friends,
So much more there is that’s unbearable
Without them, as secrecy, lies, and envy
Have become the norm, while friends
Have become a rare commodity
Whose currency is spiteful and speaks
Loudly of material gain instead of friends.

Exert from my poetry book, Perfectly Flawed: poetry for change

https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518