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Meeting of a possible spouse

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

During my parents’ time, the families of the ‘bride and groom’ would all meet together with the ‘possible couple’ several times before it was even deemed acceptable for them to go out together. Plus, the only way they were permitted to see each other socially was with a trusted chaperone, who could be a brother, sister, uncle, or cousin, depending on where the ‘couple’ wanted to go.

Even during my time that was watered down, but now it’s completely extinct with the age of the click and ‘modern’ perceptions that encourage greater independence while promoting falling in love. Moreover, people perceive that having the parents’ opinion is irrelevant to the couple’s future together. I, however, completely disagree with that, as a couple, especially ones living in the West, need a lot of help from their parents when they start their family. This requires that all parties can at least be civil to one another in order for that to take place. Plus, the children benefit from different generational perspectives that will help them have a better social understanding of what to expect when their peer circle increases to include friends from different races, cultures, and opinions.

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Ordinary

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?

I’m neither beautiful nor ugly. I am considered the shrimp in my family, as they think I’m short! I have shoulder-length hair, almond shaped brown eyes, hooded by my upper lid, a smallish nose that savors food aromas, and pink lips that try to be honest without hurting others.

I believe my character shows in my voice and simple actions of a nurturer. My voice is generally low and calm, unless provoked. I’m very sensitive, which shows in how carefully I choose my words, as I understand their possible negative effects on the person I’m speaking to.

I also wear a hijab, which helps me protect my modesty, keeps me humble, and respectful in the presence of others.

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

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Hawaii

If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?

I’d take my youngest child, a girl, 23 already, with me as she’s had a fantasy about going to Hawaii. I believe her teenage adulation of the show, Hawaii Five 0, is in part to blame for her fascination with the island. The other reason for it is that it has tropical warm weather that heats you from the inside out.

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

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Flickering Flame Fly


‘Three things can never be taken back: a word
That’s spoken, an arrow speeding away from
its bowstring, and time that lapses.’*

As I look upon the candle flame,
Flame, I let reality drift into memories,
Memories good and bad alike, linger,
Linger with emotions that stomp.

Stomp out the flickering negativity,
Negativity, that drives you into a chasm,
Chasm, that festers in agony,
Agony of disappointment and betrayal.

Betrayal wrapped in honeyed words,
Words you can’t take back, flay,
Flay you open in twain. Obscuring,
Obscuring your light from shining,

Shining brighter than perfidy.
Perfidy of a stabbing arrow,
Arrow that starts feuds, wars,
Wars that bring death and destruction,

Destruction of lives, property, livelihoods,
Livelihoods that bring families, friends,
Friends and community to a stand-still.
Still that wee flame ignites passions, faith,

Faith that overcome the lapse,
Lapse of time, that flows like the sea,
Sea of time, that drowns each moment,
Moment in a flood that can’t be touched.

Let the flirting flame engulf your heart,
Heart with its heat and adulation to optimism.


*An Arabic saying, translated by the author inspired this poem, as well as the picture.

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Grandchildren & Writing

What are you most excited about for the future?

I look forward to baring witness to my children’s marriages and their kids. I dream of holding, playing, balancing, teaching, singing, reciting, and observing them at each stage of infancy. Dreams where one of hanging onto my skirt as I pray or jumping on my back if I’m picking something up. I feel the need to embue my soul with their innocent laughter and simplified perception of life.

As for my writing and poetry, I’d like to see that it has a greater audience and acceptance. I’ve been struggling with getting it out there for over 5 years, and I haven’t given up yet. I don’t think I will, as I feel I have a message that needs an audience.

Amazon link to my poetry book, Perfectly Flawed: https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518

Link to my podcast, exert, a poem, Subjugation, about postcolonialism and enslaved populations, from PerfectlyFlawed:

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Mood dictates my music

What is your favorite genre of music?

If you’re like me, for every mood you find yourself in, you choose a different type of music. For me, when I’m happy and cheerful, I enjoy upbeat music that makes me move to its rhythm. When I’m upset, sad, depressed, I enjoy something calm, quiet, instrumental, or romantic.

So enjoy every mood with all the frills that come with each one.

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Gratitude

How do you express your gratitude?

Depending on what I’m grateful for, I express it differently. When I’m grateful for a job well done, I express it by voicing my gratitude to those who helped achieve the goal. Otherwise, when I’m just expressing gratitude for the things that are given to me, hearing, smell, vision, taste buds, limbs, health, intelligence, and others, I turn my gratitude to God who gave us more than we deserve.

I feel that God has a hand in all the things that I do, even my success and family, as without his Godly gifts to fall back on, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the things that I have. That’s why, most of my gratitude is directly to Him, via prayer.

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Sweats

If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

After Covid, we became lazy and only wanted our comfort today, so, yes, I’d wear sweats over and over again. However, that doesn’t mean that I’ll not alter the colors nor forgo my usual style that goes hand in hand with comfort, color, color, and more color. That is all it takes for me to feel better!

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

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Carmen, Gypsy Queen

Her sensuality entrances,
Her movements’ elegance attracts,
Her swirls and twirls riveting
In their quest to be enchanting.

Her steps, stomps, and jumps,
Each emanating from her soul’s
Foray into the unknown, untraditional,
As she appropriates formal steps for male

Adds her feminine flair,
Her golpe, stomp, louder, stronger,
And original, while her Latigo,
The whipping of her toe

Flies through her body like
Electricity, jumping from joints’ stake
To vessels with passions ornate
In their effect on the audience, elate

In acceptance that Carmen will
Live on, in her form, moves, still,
Memory serves , placing her on
A pedestal,  difficult to reach as yon don

Your war paint, trying to face
Life with a vigor that today has lost its place.

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

I’m so thankful for this honor from the FB group, The Writer’s Wave, for their enjoyment of my poetry.

Thank you 😊

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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