Poetry for ChangeWhat are you doing this evening?
My favorite night escape is being home, alone, or surrounded by people I love. While alone, I’m more likely to be productive and write something new or apply for the varied writing contests. On the other hand, while I’m with my tribe, I store the happiness, smiles for darker days to shine a light on them.
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
My mom’s laughter is a rare thing to be heard, so when she laughs, I listen and bask in her joy. However, when my children and I are gathered together and someone does or says something funny, they go to extreme laughter, which induces belly laughs, that are contagious and bring on tears.
Exert from, Laughter, Brightens The world, from my poetry book, Perfectly Flawed: poetry for change.
https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518
How are you feeling right now?
I’ve had an amazing week with one of my poems being published in an anthology, Unsealed Your Greatness (Link: https://amzn.to/47RpSFt), another got an honorable mention, had my 30th wedding anniversary, and writing book reviews for Canadian Authors. So, I feel in my element, reading, writing, creating, and loving it!
What’s your favorite time of day?
Sunrise and sunset, the colors, the hope, the beauty of each transcends their transience. The quiet of each is a time of reflection that I take in order to assess what I’ve accomplished each day. I question my decisions, were they right? Did I hurt anyone? What can I do to make amends? But, most importantly, I take the time to voice my gratitude for the things I have and those I don’t.
Let the beauty of those times enrobe you in their mystery and hope propelling you into the unknown with a positive outlook.
Author of Perfectly Flawed, poetry for change.
What’s your favorite recipe?
This very lebanese recipe comes in both a vegetarian and meat variation. I love both, really, but the ones that trigger love, family, and feasting on religious holidays, is the meat version. That one is made with lamb shoulder as a base, with the grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef, some top it with stuffed zucchini, but in our home it was just the meat and grape leaves. They are left to Simmer for about 12 hours so that the meat falls off the bones, the leaves become paper thin-easy to digest, and the rice absorbed all the flavors. We’d usually eat it with pita bread, fresh mint leaves, and green onions.
The smell of it cooking throws me back to my childhood, when I first got married, gatherings, and just happy times.
Poet, author of Perfectly Flawed: poetry for change.
https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518
What are your top ten favorite movies?
Star Wars
Speed
John Whick
Rocky
Percy Jackson
Immortals
Golden Compass
Safe House
Top Gun
An Officer and a Gentleman
007
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.
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
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
What do you listen to while you work?
When I’m in the zone working, I enjoy quiet solitude in order to promote concentration and better writing. When too much background noise is around me, I tend to feel overwhelmed by it, creating a faster heartbeat that can be exhausting.
So, a quiet environment is ideal, but I can be hyperfocused enough to tune out ‘white noise’ in order to achieve my objective.
If I’m doing something manually, exercise, cooking, baking, I enjoy listening to the recitation of the Quraan, as it has a musicality that pumps me with happy endorphins, envigorates my mind, and empowers me with Knowledge and understanding. 😊
Poetry for Change 