I’m reviewing several books: poetry and short story anthologies. I’m enjoying the variety in writing styles and perspectives. I’m a bookworm who writes poetry and her opinion, freely, trying to be as honest as possible. Reading is my gateway to a world of unknowns that makes more sense in writing as it feels as though it has logic behind it.
My book: Perfectly Flawed poetry for change is poetry that critiques colonialism, injustice, and fosters self-worth and growth.
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
I hate clearing and cleaning the breakfast/ lunch/ dinner table as it’s always in use, and if each person leaves 1 object behind, that makes for 5 things to pit back!!!!
Another thing I hate is ironing. I know it’s not always a daily routine thing, but I delay it until I have a huge pile I want to continue to ignore!
Poetess: Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, my poetry divided into 3 themes: Relationships, social/ postcolonial criticism, and self-awareness/ growth.
I wouldn’t pay a dime to travel to the moon, as I would prefer to use the money towards helping displaced refugees, especially children affected by the traumas of what they are escaping.
That’s the reason why I have Notes on my phone. Even when walking, I stop to jot down a word or idea for a poem, then, I complete the writing when I have a few minutes! There are even times when the idea transforms completely when I start writing.
The principles that drive me most are honesty, faith, and justice. When it comes to honesty, we have a saying that says, ‘honesty will hurt in the moment, but it will also teach you’, perhaps it’s a harsh lesson, but when it’s learned from friends and family it’s better than from strangers. I’ve always hated liars and pretenders who talk a good game but are really envious of your honesty and strength to stand by it. So, yes, I will choose honesty, always.
Faith for me, defines the principles I live by: nurturer, respectful, accepting, flexible, listener, just, and a person who tries as much as possible to practice what I preach. Included in my faith is the acceptance that justice prevails always, whether you make sure people give it to you, or if you leave it to God to get it for you, because Karma is a b-tch and will bite you in the ass!
The first is an acrostic poem titled: FORGIVENESS, while the second is titled: Glory’s Bower.
Glory’s Bower
Morning glory climbing vine, Purple, violet, red, pink, or white, Colors of a rainbow of hope That delivers expansion and will grope Your archway by making it fine!
As I run through its delicacy, I note the difference in clemency From one side to the other, as I bravely Cross the framed beauties, cleverly Hoping that the other side will have more mercy.
No more than an inch separates the bower From the white picket gate, where a shower Of light bathes the garden bed with a cover Of verdant hues, that shame any painter. As I cross into this splendor,
I note colors are sharper, Each plant has its own area, a platter Filled with diverse shapes, sizes, and sister, It takes away your breath in a blinker As you tinker with nature’s fauna that never cower
To either man or nature’s Storms that are in never ending cycles Of births and deaths, that keep hopes Alive in every heart, as it shows justice’s Plight, as it ends certain lifes.
Stay in your bower of morning Glories and enjoy the perpetual crooning Of an ecosystem in harmony, dancing!
Forge your will in steal, Outmaneuver your enemies, who feel, Replete in knowing they’re the heel. Give them your support when they fall, Inspire them to be better than before. View their progress and motivate before you bore, Inverting foe to friend, like before. Never lose hope for betterment Even when all is stacked against you, Simmer the anger, put logic to the forefront Survive, learn, educate, that hope is never gone.
I’ve always been a reader who was sucked into the novel and felt that I’ve watched it as if seeing a movie. As though that’s not enough, I enjoy buying books, some of which I don’t read, but buy newer ones! I feel like I have a friend in each book, where I connect to a fictitious world that seems real to me. I’ve come to enjoy books that surprise me, whether in plot, theme, content, character, or even dialogue. Those are the books I search for today.
Writing has been with me since my 30s, when I returned to university after having 2 children and pregnant with my third. I liked poetry writing most, as comparisons, allegories, and events are shorter in nature, direct yet subtle, and require a lot of cultural knowledge, literature, and news. My book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, was published during the pandemic and has only now been chosen as a finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards. Two other poems are featured in anthologies or magazines, while others have won me certificates for Facebook contests. (FriesenPress add on their Instagram.) https://www.amazon.ca/Perfectly-Flawed-poetry-Malak-Kalmoni/dp/1525582518
As for walking, it’s my way to relieve pent-up stres, as well as taking the time to talk to my husband, whose constant encouragement helps me push myself to stay healthy!
Poetry for Change 