I have never stuttered in pen
misspoken in ink
or choked in my writing
the way I do
whenever I speak
my fingertips always know
the right words to say
my tongue is still learning

i'm gonna try to accustom my self to discomfort
born privileged, first-world country,
loving family,
what more ugly words can one let out her tongue
till she realises that imperfection is perfect
and just to have another breath
and feel the wind against one's skin
is beautiful
how beautiful it is to live

maybe its times like this
when you're only with yourself
memories of everyone you ever met
return to your presence of mind.

yet, do your thoughts of them
reflect your significance in their lives?

perhaps we tend to impose our importance
on those we remember most
as
for me, maybe one more thing to learn today:
the only reality of my existence.
in my insignificance.
and my triviality.

no one remembers, and why should they?
you're alone, my friend.

one more thing
i've understood about happiness
is simply
putting your mother
at ease.

419

We grow accustomed to the Dark—
When light is put away—
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Goodbye—

A Moment—We uncertain step
For newness of the night—
Then—fit our Vision to the Dark—
And meet the Road—*****—

And so of larger—Darkness—
Those Evenings of the Brain—
When not a Moon disclose a sign—
Or Star—come out—within—

The Bravest—***** a little—
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead—
But as they learn to see—

Either the Darkness alters—
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight—
And Life steps almost straight.

in the limitless manifestations of
His bountiless mercy is the gift of two precious, precious, women
in my life;
Safiyyah, my mama and
Rahmah, my grandma.

there is nothing more i could ask from Him,
when He completes every moment of my life
with the blessing of these two ladies.
Safiyyah, the pure one, Rahmah, the kind, merciful one.

and He acquaints me the understanding of a love,
utterly unconditioned
sacrificial
and true
of the purest within the innermost
manifest within their smiles.

the Prophet, peace be upon him, said;
"Paradise is at the two feet of your mother."

oh Lord,
what is this love You've given me?