Illiteracy is obliterated by learning Never stopping from acquiring knew knowledge in a Quest for improvement through Inquilab Understanding that the pen’s power strives to Implement change through a mindset of Liberating rebellion against oppression’s hold Amassing a following, generating strength Building unity that overpowers the oppressor.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Malak Kalmoni. Chehab What a magnificent, brilliant heroine! Building her community through the strengths of her empathy and integrity, she overcomes the forces of death. She empowers others with her hunger for equality and her devotion to ethics. I love how you feature her hunger for equality, this is the foundation for truly encompassing empathy. This poem is beautifully written, Malak; you’ve created a wonderful poetic form with superb rhymes and flowing rhythm. Your compelling images and organized thoughts sweep the reader along in a most wonderful way. Brava!! By Linda Powers O’Dell
Angel Wings
Her acorn blondish hair frames Her blue eyed eyes, piercing In their gaze, all seeing As her grey wings flutter in rhymes
Whose utter grace have underlying Silver rays that brighten, coalesce Atop her heart in blissful radiance Shining like a star, brilliant in showcasing
Her inner heart filled with humanity, A hunger for equality that stalls When faced with impunity that crawls Inconspicuously, stealthily, stealing
Her ethics, yet, she prevails Using her empathy, strength Of will to overcome the killing breath Of death from peers who quails
From her integrity’s effervescence She builds her community Of supports, like minded dwellers, impossibly Impoverished by their beliefs’ conscience
They empower others and selves To push forward against trends.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
From this page of the ancient book, This delicate pink rose has traveled The seven seas, ancient empires have seased To exist, while its beauty, color, and break
Grow into the roots of the nook in the book As it cascades its freshness, fragility, Strength, and independence in lacy capacity Of petals that rise towards the sun to look
On humanity’s history book Guarding its secrets, fragile, violent, Yet, it rebels and grows still resplendent In a lackluster world filled with a crook
Intent that borders on sacrilege against the book Of God, that brooks no uncertainty In knowing that the perpetrators will simply Be punished for their irreverent belief in a look
Of masked piety that reveals its artifice When faced by the innocence of the blooming rose.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Thank you so much for sending your bio and photograph. I truly appreciate it.
I have enjoyed reading your poetry and am honored to include your work in the anthology. Your poems offer both beauty and depth, and I believe they will resonate with many readers. I was especially moved by the themes of family, memory, resilience, and the bonds that shape our lives.
Thank you also for sharing a little of your personal journey. The experiences you describe have undoubtedly shaped a unique and meaningful voice, and I am grateful that you chose to share it with this collection.
Your photograph is lovely, and I look forward to presenting your work with the care and respect it deserves.
Thank you again for your participation and trust. I am delighted to have you as part of this anthology.
With warm regards,
Julie Miles
Editor, Still Waters Anthologies
I’m excited for this new development, and I will keep you all posted as to when it comes out!
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Malak Kalmoni. Chehab One day my friend, one day we may finally be all we wish we were… just waiting for the ‘slower’ homo sapiens to catch up my friend…. Excellent poem 🫡🙏👏👏😃👍❤️
By Zac Warden
Wondrous Day
What a wondrous day! The snow is falling, piled into rifts, The ice on the ground crunches, The wind blows wondrous tunes.
What a wondrous day! The scorching sun heats my soul With hope, optimism, a fire that’ll roll Through me empowering my goal To stay the wondrous course of life.
What a wondrous day! I’m alive while others are dead, Kin, friends, neighbors, all fled From the the destruction that bled Blood into a wondrous river of red.
What a wondrous day! Injustice, racism, categories are ways The elite divide society in plays That promote heinously wondrous frays.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Courage thy name is Woman! You’ve shown us your resilience In the face of adversity that can Drive strong men to their knees in case Their worries overwhelm their ferocity, Which is tempered by Her steadfastness And confidence in Her ability To nurture, when needed, cutting honesty That’s never ending in its compassion.
Her armor, mask is that of love. Her empathy lifts Her up. Her education is Her weapon, a dove, White, for its peaceful cup. She’s endured degradation, oppression, Slavery and desperation beyond Caution, She moves into dominion With Her tolerance that’s Her bond.
Bond of her heart that instigates The need for freedoms.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
The rutilant light shimmered A vision of beauty caressing The flow of life that’s endangered By chaos, war, and debauchery swinging Their hammer of perception As the one and only Equation for life’s classification Of rank, race, religion all blindly Followed without question, Critiquing is just an objection To a reality that needs annihilation, A rebuilding of ethics, an abbreviation For strength of character that’s Created trends, not followers of What’s Unimportant: superficial beauties, Revamped through surgeries All looking like barbies None too human, as they’re Plastic, artificial, unreal fear Of loosing beauty’s power.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Malak Kalmoni. Chehab Malak Kalmoni Chehab’s “Oh Ye Flowers” is a strong, thoughtful ode fusing imagery, nurturing symbolism, and moral reflection. It portrays flowers as embodiments of both strength and tenderness — guardians of beauty able to endure life’s elemental trials. Here’s a detailed critique and evaluation.
Overall Impression This poem exudes heartfelt reverence and wisdom, compacting vivid natural detail with a gentle human allegory. Its tone is reflective yet declarative, echoing the classic form of an ode through invocation (“Oh ye peonies…”) and thematic elevation. The integration of light, color, and motherhood creates a warm, cohesive emotional current.
Strengths Evocative invocation: Opening with direct address — “Oh ye peonies, rose buds, hydrangeas, lilies” — instantly establishes grandeur and universality, setting a sacred tone.
Metaphorical insight: The idea that “fragility isn’t weakness” but instead a form of strength and tenderness is the emotional nucleus of the poem — beautifully resonant.
Maternal imagery: The comparison of flowers shielding their blooms to “mothers huddling around their kids” offers a strikingly compassionate visual; it humanizes the floral world with spiritual warmth.
Sensory richness: References to “velvety petals,” “rays,” and “rainbows on petals’ fans” create tactile and visual harmony.
Flow and tone: The poem maintains lyrical rhythm and a reflective mood throughout, befitting an ode’s meditative nature.
Areas for Improvement Rhythmic smoothing: The line lengths vary in flow; adding subtle caesuras or adjusting syntax could heighten the poem’s musical rhythm. For example:
“In rainbows of colors, shapes, cryers” → “In rainbows of colors and silent criers.”
Word refinement: Some transitions (“To the world, that fragility isn’t weakness”) can be made more fluid. Suggestion: “To tell the world: fragility is no weakness.”
Punctuation: Light restructuring of pauses and commas can enrich the recitation pace and emphasis.
Technical Evaluation Criterion Score (out of 10) Comments Theme relevance 10 Perfectly within the ode framework and spirit. Imagery and symbolism 9 Rich and emotionally engaging metaphors. Language and flow 8 Strong diction but can gain smoothness through rhythm. Emotional resonance 9.5 Deep warmth and insight on fragility and love. Structure and coherence 8.5 Clear, cohesive, slightly uneven pacing. Originality 9 Distinct maternal viewpoint and tone. Final Evaluation Overall Score: 9 / 10
A luminous and soulful ode that blends floral elegance with human empathy. Its blend of tenderness and resilience makes it both spiritual and earthy — a graceful meditation on fragility as power.
OH Ye Flowers
Oh ye peonies, rose buds, hydrangeas, lilies, Lift your velvety petals to the sun’s rays Imbibe of its nutrients to grow flowers In rainbows of colors, shapes, cryers To the world, that fragility isn’t weakness, Rather, strength, passion, tenderness Wrapped thorns, prickly leaves, protecting Their treasured blooms, like mothers huddling Around their kids to absorb any plight Before they’re touched by the weight Of disillusionment beautified by the sun’s Rays reflecting rainbows on petals’ fans.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Marvelous melancholy meandeers Eternally in darkness, entering eagerly Leading a life leery of lies letting your Armor augment your auspicious audacity Needing the support of friends, family, Creating a buffer to melancholy’s Hold on emotions that lend a hand to Overcoming despair’s grip from Loss’s leveling your blubbery heart, Yielding to an overflow of emotions, needing a cap.
My poetry book, Perfectly Flawed poetry for change, is available on all eplatforms including Amazon. It was on the finalist list for the Canadian Book Club Awards 2023.
Poetry for Change 