This poem is dedicated to my friend.
Whose life is struggle right now.
I remember when I first met you.
We were so similar.
We laughed for hours.
We read the same books.
Listened to the same tunes.
We watched the same movies.
Talked for hours.
I want to say:
I love you.
…
Your life is full of so much struggle.
But you are so gallant through it.
Never ever want to make me cry.
But it hurts how much I love you.
Your life is hard.
You hurt.
Burdened right now, but always remember,
It rains in the dessert.
And wherever there is life, God nourishes.
And people are sustained in the remembrance of God.
You are so much of the world’s beauty.
In every way.
Your heart is so pure.
I can see your radiance.
I can see the light in your soul.
You always want the best for people.
You’re an inspiration.
…
You said you no longer dream about the future.
Silently said goodbye to those dreams, wishes and visions you once had.
Because you feel like you are simply stuck in this dreary reality.
You think there is no escape.
You are trying to find your purpose.
Your space.
But precious, God tests those He loves best.
The harder the struggle the stronger you become.
Remember God’s Love.
His Grace.
His Mercy.
His Compassion.
I tell myself before I tell you.
I will make myself believe these words from which I now feed.
They say it is words which we hold on to when we have nothing more.
Because they give us comfort.
And wrap us in love.
…
The wise people, they say that you should make the most of your health and your youth.
But no one ever assumes this might apply to them.
Because we believe that we will live forever.
Because we believe that we have all the time in the world.
Because we never understand the value of something until we no longer possess it.
‘Nothing bad will happen to me, I am such a good person.’
But remember good people are also tested.
Maybe in the hardest ways.
And precious, that’s why I never want you to doubt your faith.
Never underestimate your grace.
You are worth everything.
So very important.
People are working to keep you healthy.
People will strive to make you smile.
You are the colourful paint in their lives.
Remember you are their lovebug.
…
We say its funny how time flies.
But so sad how we always want to do certain things but never get the time.
Sometimes I think our lives dwell on pointless things.
So we never get the chance to,
hold our friends hand.
Or marvel over their eminence.
…
I’ve heard my elders say that reflection is the key to life.
Many times we think that our life is so hard.
There is absolutely nothing wondrous about it.
So we simply can’t go on.
We fail to realize own blessings.
We forget to Thank God for His love.
Because we spend hours imaging everything we don’t have.
In all that time we fail to realize that many people have it harder than us.
Many people face greater tests in this life than maybe we ever will.
…
When I was young my mom said no matter what happens I should always place my trust in God.
Any hurdle I come across can be overcome by believing in the One worth all belief.
I promise to put all my faith in God.
Because trust I’ve learned, comes from Him
…
They said one of the hardest tests given to any human being was given to the Prophet Ayyub.
In times of hardship he had immense faith in the One worth all praise.
He was Grateful,
Sought God’s Help.
And remained Steadfast.
He became an embodiment of hope.
So,
God does not place a burden on you more than you can bear.
You are stronger than the usual.
…
My friend,
Seek happiness from sunsets
and flowers blooming.
From ocean waves singing to the beat of the wind.
From leaves that change colours.
From the beauty of how the day becomes night.
Or how the moon replaces the sun.
Or how we can breathe.
Think.
Hear.
Speak.
Listen.
Smile.
Embrace.
Love.
Seek harmony from every single moment.
Because God is always with you. He will never abandon you.
I guess what I really want to say is this, ‘For those going through hard times, keep pushing because there is a greater purpose in it.’
…
My reader,
We should remember that some people are faced with very difficult tests in this life.
Maybe our purpose is to help them through these trials.
Be a beacon of hope.
A lesson of love.
A pillar they can rely on.
Something they can hold on to when it becomes too much.
Simply to let them know they are loved.
…
This poem is dedicated to my friend.
I will always remember the first time I met you.
And I want you to know I’ll always be there for you.
This poem is also dedicated to you.
Because this poem is so much of us.
You are what I like to call,
Preciousness.

And,

Yes,

That’s the last thing that flashed into my memory.

The last thing I saw before I dissolved into nothingness.

I lost myself in a daydream.

Do you remember that Ferris wheel?

Gleaming with red and yellow colourful lights against the dark canopy of the night?

The first and last time the carnival came to the streets of Baghdad.

Fireflies ignited lives.

…

To my unborn child,

Resting in the womb.

Precious:

They shot your daddy in the head.

Now,

Innocent blood will fill the streets.

Sweet mercy sing the midnight praises.

And you, my angel will cry.

I remember your rhythmic heartbeat; my ears heard your life.

I won’t get to see your face.

I won’t get to sing your praise.

I won’t get to hold you close.

I won’t get to explain your worth.

I won’t feel your small hands upon mine.

I won’t get to watch your fumbling steps.

I won’t get to hear your beautiful cry.

I won’t get to watch your face light up at the coming of a sunset.

Wont play peek-a-boo with you darling.

There won’t be sweet lullabies.

…

But I am certain, my angel you will cry.

I wish I could hold you close and dry those eyes.

You are a star light beaming so bright in this hell we call life.

Don’t ever lose your way.

Because you are an embankment of love.

The true essence of hope.

The reason I will live on.

Daddy will be with you, always.

…

The rivers are stained with the moons tears.

And the flowers are sad yet they feel it is their duty to blossom gallantly.

The leaves don’t rustle their silent tune.

The sun mourns; it’s defeated by dark rain clouds.

The earth mourns the loss of love.

I want to live, like the strings on a guitar that wants to be strung.

But there is no music.

There is no more air.

…

Don’t ever doubt that daddy didn’t love you.

Daddy was killed because hate is a cruel thing.

And it drives people to do crazy things.

Like killing innocent people who look a certain way.

My life existed only to be misinterpreted.

But please don’t erase my memory.

Can’t you see baby, my dreams are now etched on your palms.

Stay strong for daddy.

…

My angel, remember to look towards the sky sometimes and show me your blessed face.

Heaven knows I was right; you have your mother’s eyes and my hair.

I’m sorry, I was taken away.

If I had even a minute to spend it would be with you.

Stars twinkle, on the dark canvas of the night.

They say death is but a mere melody waiting to be sung.

They say our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.

So remember me.

And hush now baby,

Sleep tight,

Listen to your mama,

Only God is by your side.

…

And,

Yes,

That’s the last thing that flashed into my memory.

The last thing I saw before I dissolved into nothingness.

I lost myself in a daydream.

It was the Ferris wheel, turning slowly.

Taking its time as if it was savoring every moment.

Every precious millisecond of life.

They say love saves all.

My angel:

You are loved.

Rest in the womb.

Let love stroke your life.

I love you.

I hope it echoes for eternity.

Author: Sarah Usmani

I’m a war child.
That’s right a war child,
Just because the media makes believe that for myself I can’t speak,
Don’t pretend like you can’t hear me,
Don’t make me repeat my misery,
I’m a war child,
Yeah you heard me,
A war child.

Because of the soldiers’ machine gun playing my loud nightly lullaby,
I may not sleep at night,
But I tell you I dream,
I dream with my eyes open wide.
I dream that if tonight with God’s might I may survive,
Tomorrow I’ll look for a safer place for my siblings to hide.

You see I’m the oldest and I’m nine.
And well the youngest, she’s two,
A little too busy to have any trouble on her little mind.

Because for her the red paint,
The teary eyes,
And the loud noises,
Are all just a little punishment for the naughty kids who refuse to sleep at night.
This for her is normal life,
The life she believes all two year olds live world wide.
The life of a war child.

I’ve heard of children being bullied,
For being too fat or too skinny.
But that doesn’t happen in this town of peace,
Here, all children play in unity.
They play games that won’t lead to brain washing or all those other controversies,
Rather they get together at day time to compare who collected the most treats,
Small, big, few or many purple blue treats,
Stamped on their bodies and skins that burn in the scorching heat,
Dry, blue and flaky.
They all also have skinny limbs and inflated bellies,
Not because their parents fed them with goodies,
But because they suffer from all sorts of deficiencies.

This is bravery,
The bravery failed to be demonstrated by all these apparent peace making authorities.
Welcome to reality.
The reality you’ll never see on T.V.,
Or hear of in the speeches of presidents from the most powerful countries.

The presidents who sleep in their cosy beds,
And enjoy the comfort of various electrical facilities.

You see when the sun goes down in this town,
Explosions and screams are the only audible sound,
And the only light we see,
Is that of burning tires and bodies.

And there you are complaining about a power failure that lasted an hour or three.
I guess it’s only fair,
Since I deserve no rights or freedom being a citizen of a third world country.

The country with a high rate of infant casualties,
And escalating child labor rate speaking statistically.
Here the worst news for a family could be that of a pregnancy,
This child if born, would be abused,
Mentally,
Physically,
And sexually,
Regardless of its gender, strength, and capabilities.
This child will be orphaned sooner or later,
He’ll work for companies and factories as a toddler,
To provide his dying loved ones with bread and water,
And if he dares to speak,
He’ll be labeled as a traitor,
And get sent off to prison later.

But hey, don’t worry,
Don’t bother helping me,
Don’t make use of your freedom of speech.
You’ve got your shiny cars and money,
Why care about me?
I’m just a war child,
On me don’t waste your time,
I’ll be just fine.

Amidst the orderly lines I’m here
Small voices
Multiple conversations
And I’m here
In unison
But maybe by comparison
I’m stuck
Dumbstruck
Maybe just trying to deny
Maybe just trying to hide
These tears in my eyes
Because it can’t make sense to you
For me to cry
What is it inside?
And the gears start turning and churning
Rotating without breaking
And I can no longer deny
The love I’ve been given
A chance for forgiveness
And I’m only transparent to Him



Author: Rida Khan

It’s true about life that it is short and tough,
there’s times of ease and times that are rough.
Don’t fall into this trap because you will get stuck
then nothing can help you escape; not fame nor chance nor luck.

…Life is full of greed, anger, and mistrust,
betrayal and denial of the truth is a result of this lust.
It is the bitter truth that you need to understand,
that life as you know it, will soon come to an end.
Glamor, luxuries, and the “American Dream” are all ways to keep you occupied,
so that materialism can continue to spread far and wide.

Life is really just a touch to the soul,
a spiritual existence for physical control,
an energy for the body to function,
a shield of emotions and feelings that covers the heart,
and a process of thinking within the mind.
Just remember, it may be prominent, but it’s not permanent,
and once it is gone, it will be nothing but history.

The reality of life is that it is nothing but
an illusion, a delusion and seclusion;
it’s isolation, confusion, and deception;
and nothing more than misconception or hallucination.

And if you have been trapped, deceived, confused, or deluded,
there is no known cure nor resolution concluded,
in any book,
except what God has revealed.

So open your ears, eyes, mind and heart,
and re-frame yourself and restart, because
if you got up this morning, healthy and ready to shine,
you have been given, yet another chance, for yourself to redesign,

And be thankful for this gift, for not everyone is blessed with it.

By: Sarah Usmani, picture courtesy of Yasmine Youssef

Just a few centuries ago,
Fire, Water, Air, and Earth were all pure.
Fire, once the only source of heat,
Is now flaming from burning body heaps.
Water, once the nourishing source,
Now gushes from pipes drowning corpse after corpse.
Air, once the pure and clear source of life,
Now intoxicates, and wounds deeper than a knife.
And Earth, that once provided a ground to walk on,
Is now drastically bombed on.
How did the elements of life turn into elements of fear?
Who brought them here?
We did.
We used the air that prevented our lungs from collapsing, as a medium for poisoning.
We used the fire that prevented us from shivering, as a medium for demolishing.
We used the water that prevented us from wilting, as a medium for internal deformation.
And finally, we destroyed the Earth, the Earth that provided the sand grains for our creation.
Yes we, the humans, the wisest of all creation.
Then why weep when the elements turn against us?
Earthquakes, forest fires, floods and hurricanes,
Aren’t they all well deserved?
Justice is what we should fear,
The thought of nature’s Justice should bring down fountains of tears,
Because true Justice is what nature hasn’t endorsed yet.
Imagine.
If there was an earthquake for every time we littered the Earth,
If there was a flood for every toxin we dumped into the oceans,
If there was a hurricane for every fume released from a factory’s chimney,
If there was a bigger fire in turn for every explosion,
Where would we be now?
Would we exist?
These man-made disasters cannot be compared to those of nature.
So don’t cry, because this time isn’t the worst.
Quench that cigarette in your hands,
Eliminate your waste,
Discontinue your evil plans,
Because nature hasn’t yet showed you its own plans.

My name is Sarah,
And I was born in Pakistan,
But since unemployment rates were sky high,
My family and I flew away when I was nine.

Now 19, the country that I proudly call mine is 63 years old with a crucial leak in its main plumb line,
But since corrupt politicians make the basis of my country’s spine,
And on the world map, being anywhere but the west is just not fine,
Most multinationals have decided to decline,
The help that they are surely capable to provide.

But from my duty I refuse to resign,
So here I am with a word plan I have devised,
Hoping that most of you will listen,
So the oppressed 14 million may survive.

Now imagine,
Imagine the roofs of your homes torn off from above your heads.

A situation where agony is neck high,
And in a flood of pain you are drenched wet.

Imagine looking to your left and right and finding floating bodies of loved ones who are now dead.

And if that wasn’t enough,
Can you imagine not being able to find the smallest piece of dry land,
to bury your deceased friends?
So you’re forced to walk away,
Because the next wave of flood,
You might not withstand.

Now imagine having to swim over your now flooded farmland,
Knowing that to put bread on table,
You will now have to make new plans all over again.
All your year’s work washed away in a few minutes time span.

Now picture a queue of sick and hungry children, women and men,
Waiting cautiously to hear the noise of the aid helicopter’s fans.

And once the noise is heard and that daily flying machine of hope is seen,
The rush begins.

Little orphaned feet are caught up in a stampede,
Widowed women fight to save their infants struck by a terminal disease,
And burdened fathers fight to get a bite to eat.

Where are my people?
Where are my friends?
Is there anyone out there willing to give me a hand?

These are the thoughts of the 14 million people drowning in pain,
So don’t just sit there and watch in vain.

Seven seas away they sit and wait,
Wondering why everyone’s asleep,
To wake you up, how long will it take?

Nothing’s getting better,
They keep sinking deeper and deeper,
And whose door should they knock on if not yours?
Their president’s not even home.

Where are my people?
Where are my friends?
Is there anyone out there willing to give me a hand?

Now I know that your name and country might not be the same as mine,
But I also know that unlike most multinationals, you have a heart deep down inside.

So help those whose world has turned upside down,
So give them a little more than just a frown.

A little more love,
A little more care,
Show them they’re not alone,
Prove to them you still care.

What are you waiting for?
What is that you fear?
Why do you keep pretending that their screams you can’t hear?
Are you waiting for the ones still alive to drown in their own tears?

They are your people,
They are your friends,
So to lift them up from their suffering, won’t you please give them a hand?