Fall has begun, and yet orchids continue to burgeon, producing buds that turn into astounding multi-colored flowers! If that isn’t a miracle of nature, I don’t know what it would be.
Although I love each season, for they each provide their own beauty, still, fall is a favorite of mine. The grey skies, the rain, the strong winds all create an ambiance for reading and creating!
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change:
I’m flabbergasted by the honor of this certificate for my poem: Athena, based on a picture prompt.
Athena
Her resplendent beauty gleams In the raven sky, her star shines Brighter with her golden armor, protective Of her vulnerabilities, as she needs to survive. Its glow is there to strive To outlast the unbeliever who stirs the hive.
Her might glistens and reverberates Throughout her vicinity, vindictive as it propels Instability, division, dissention, and war! Booming war cries echo their strengths, none bar Her entry, as she subjugates those weaker Through fear and magic of her glittery armor.
Those whose insolence is hidden behind their Camouflage of piety, are two, three faced, where They keep their dissonance locked, So their perfidy is unexpected, And the humbleness nothing but beguiled Discourse that pleases the open hearted.
Beware of those wearing lambskin, But are in reality cutthroats whose noggin Is an empty shell that requires It to be filled by others to act out wars.
Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is one of my all-time favorite album, as it reminds me of my youth when it became famous. Plus, later on, my daughter and I used to enjoy singing it very loudly while driving. So its continuity in my life makes it special.
My book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, has made it on the finalist list in the poetry category. I’m flabbergasted by the honor of being included on the list.
This quote from women supporting women is a modern business model to be followed with honesty, if and only if you believe it to be true; and I do. When you smile in the face of adversity while surrounded by those with frowns and aggression, you show the epitome of someone in control, logical, and can make decisions at the hardest times. Your smile, to me, introduces your personality, which shows the world a facet of who you are: positive, optimistic, problem solver, and cognitive thinker. At the same time, your smile puts people at ease, makes them react more calmly, smile back, think positively instead of with anger, and always makes the other feel better.
So, SMILE, and don’t let anyone convince you that smiling is for the ignorant. No, it’s a tool, wielded correctly in this social quagmire we live in, and will always have a positive outcome.
‘Smile and life will smile back at you,’ is an Arabic saying that is cognizant of Karma. In my opinion, it summarizes the above quotation in simpler terms.
Exert from, ‘Belief’s Immortality ‘, my poetry book, Perfectly Flawed
“… there’s toughness, impregnability, optimism, That resonate and endure your ability to smile When the world within and out are depraved, Depressing, and contrive to oust your faith’s vigor.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Poetry for Change 