We rose before the sun,Tired eyes, filled mouths,And before the dawn splinteredProstration’s patience began. A day with no food,A day without water,But with the sun’s journeyWas also the soul’s. A physical deprivationBut with spiritual sustenance,As the sounds of recitationFilled the open air. This year was slightly different,Isolated at home,Missing the comforting smiles,The community. Taraweeh at…
The black night’s cloak surrounds,Shadows that eat at my thoughtsOn the lonely dirt roadOf that which I call life. The crickets chirp in the creek,Dancing melodies that escapeWhen you search for them,Yet always exist on the side. The sun never really disappears,Even in the darkest winters,Or the cold nightsWhen it hides behind the earth. But…
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If you hear of a plague in a land, then do not go into it. If it happens in land where you are, then do not go out of it.” Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim So what is some wisdom we can take from this? Do…
Time flows by like a channelLeading into a large pond.Some seconds smoothly streamWhile others ripple beyond. Filled with moments held dearAnd those wished to forget,By reflections within and outAnd the people that we’ve met. Sailing in these bodiesAre hardships old and young,Some sunk, some still sturdy,Yet to the blue water clung. To the horizons we…
“A man who stands for nothingWill fall for anything,”1Said El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz,The man known as Malcolm X. He was a minister, activist, leader And so much more than mere roles.He was a passionate person- Fighting for his people’s souls. It’s his vague title heard often:‘A popular figure of the civil rights movement’-Though criticized for controversy,For resolute advocacy…
The world is on fire,The smoke snaking in my ears.It met the swirling air within,The antithesis of dripping tears. The contrast flares high,For both require attention.The smudged lens feels cracked,Lacking resolution. Politics shackled my mind,Imprisoning naïve idealism.Communication is the key,Instead of barred skepticism. Yet we can take small steps,Set achievable goals.The world may be large,But…
Chemistry of CommunityThe world is made of atoms,Both individual and packed.A combination of customs,Both tangible and abstract. Communities chemically composed,Elementally individual.But energy stored in bonds-Thermodynamically favorable. Each bond a different length,Yet each a notable factor.Changes based on wavelengthBut still can shape character: Our melting and boiling points,Supportive structural integrity.Our awareness and viewpoints,Solidarity and reactivity. It’s…
Night descends upon the world’s horizon And the moon’s face gleams. A matter of time before the sun’s rising But darkness tears at the seams. And the needle’s eye seems so small, Blind to sanity’s thin thread. An apocalyptic protocol, A frayed knot’s far spread. The fabric of reality is flexible, Perspective the vehicle of…
The Name is quite a quandary, Constantly collecting curators. An identifier oft identified incorrectly, Ourselves the biggest perpetrators. “Hi, my name is Amal,” I said, “Just like a shopping mall.” Though reality disagreed within, I swayed to society’s call. For a year wandering lost, Unfamiliar and alone, Scraping by and trailing exhaust, Too willing to…