Am I Free? - Word bank-inspired poem

Surrounded by a clear blue sky

A pristine sea, a lake full of fish

The sun is warm against my skin

But my soul, it's not at peace

What's missing? What do I need?

I look around, it's calming

And yet…

A kitten of pure white rubs against my foot

Meows softly and disappears

I look around, I'm fine but…

Thoughts run around my mind

Why am I unhappy? Where's my comfort zone?

What's missing? What do I need?

A flock of birds flies above me

I watch them disappear into the mountains

The way they fly

They flock, but something about them

They're free

What about me?

When will I be independent?

When will I be free?

And is that what I truly need?

****

This poem was inspired by a word bank from my new and dear friend Sara Shaker: Here are the words she requested:

Warm – free – soul – peace – pure – comfort zone – independent – need?

Takhayyal writing prompt no. 95: Unleash Spring

Welcome back Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's MONTHLY picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal or Imagine.

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a challenge for writers of all ages and genres; a place to spark creativity and explore new genres.

While T.S. Eliot believed April was "the cruelest month" I think we can all beg to differ as we shed of the cold months and venture into some warmth. Hmmm?

And for this occasion of warmth and freedom, I'm featuring artwork (inspired by an original image) from my friend Mona Morsy.

What will this image inspire you to write?

Artwork courtesy of Mona Reda Morsy

Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

General rules:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·        Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·        It is not required but it is a nice and encouraging gesture to comment on others' pieces.

·        Feel free to add your Twitter handle (@....) so I can tag you in my tweets!

Let's IMAGINE!

Christmas and Supporting Women

Christmas is a time of family gatherings, love and peace.

There are of course the picture-perfect themes shown on television, advertisements and commercials. But the festive season is also known for the high cost of buying gifts, preparing costly meals and the like. While I do not celebrate Christmas, many of my friends do.

In Egypt, we do not have the whole gift buying extravaganza that we hear about in the US, UK and Europe – considering that most Christians who celebrate Christmas in Egypt celebrate it on the 7^th of January, but there is the overall festive season in malls, cafes and shops.

Today, I read an article saying that domestic abuse and domestic violence nearly doubles during Christmas. And I was horrified. I realise that closed spaces, excessive drinking and of course buying gifts or clothes can lead – or mostly leads – to tension in the households.

Still, the article and the figures mentioned – and that was only in the UK – shocked me.

I had never looked at Christmas like that. I guess I had the stereotype image of families gathering around a large, ornate Christmas tree, sharing a big dinner, watching movies together and exchanging presents.

While, there isn't much I can do about it, I can try to raise awareness about the problem.

I can also help spread the word about an anthology published by Scripting Change, whose proceeds all go to a charity for domestic abuse in the US. The charity organisation is called REACH. The anthology of poetry and short stories is called "Breaking Free". More info about the charity can be found here.

So, help out women today or just reach out to your friends or family members you suspect are suffering some kind of abuse and comfort them or help ease their suffering.

Breaking Free on Smashwords allows you to set your own price, on Amazon it has a fixed price.

Merry Christmas to All

P.S. My poem in the Breaking Free anthology is called "Unchained". You can also listen to me recite it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHCHBzDW5g4 

There are two poems in the video, the first is called "Air", the second is "Unchained" and starts at 2:15 

P.S. 2: For the UK, this article provides links that help women who are suffering from domestic abuse or violence.

Takhayyal #writing prompt 15: Worlds

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's bi-weekly picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal.

Since several people recommended this image, well here it is. What do you make of it? Write your piece and tell us what it's all about in YOUR eyes.

Picture recommended by friends, found online. Artist unknown.

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and spark our writing once more.

Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

General guidelines:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·        Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·        It is not required but it is a kind and encouraging gesture to comment on others pieces.

·        Feel free to add your Twitter handle (@....) so I can tag you in my tweets!

Let's IMAGINE! 

Takhayyal - writing prompt week 9

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's bi-weekly picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal.

With so many beautiful pictures online, I didn't know when to post this. But at long last, here it is. Feel the picture, feel the wind beneath your wings; feel it and write it!

Looking forward to all your beautiful works for this sweet and soothing picture.

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and spark our writing once more. Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

General guidelines:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·        Deadline: Late Wednesday

·        Word count: No minimum, but 300 should be enough so others can have the chance to comment on various works (not going to be too strict about this bit)

·        Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·        It is not required but it is a kind and encouraging gesture to comment on others pieces.

·        NEW: Add your Twitter handle (@.....) so I can tag you in my tweets!

Let's IMAGINE!

Takhayyal - writing prompt week 8

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's weekly picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal.

I've had my eye on this picture for a while now. I think many can brew something for this beauty. Don't you?

So let's get writing!

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and spark our writing once more. Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

Untitled. Photo found online, provided by Sara Ahmed

General guidelines:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·        Deadline: Late Wednesday

·        Word count: No minimum, but 300 should be enough so others can have the chance to comment on various works (not going to be too strict about this bit)

·        Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·        It is not required but it is a kind and encouraging gesture to comment on others pieces.

·        NEW: Add your Twitter handle (@.....) so I can tag you in my tweets!

Let's IMAGINE!

Takhayyal - Friday 13th vs Valentine's Day

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to Nadaness In Motion's weekly picture-prompt writing challenge Takhayyal.

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and spark our writing once more.

It just so happens that this week we have Friday, 13 February AND Valentine's Day on Saturday, 14 February. Accordingly, I'll post several pictures so you can get inspired by either event or both.

General guidelines:

·        Feel free to combine the pictures or use them separately.

·      Your post can be in English or Arabic, prose, poetry, short story, flash fiction; you name it and write it.

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse

·        Word count: No minimum, but 300 should be enough so others can have the chance to comment on various works (not going to be too strict about this bit)

·   Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture(s)

·        Multiple entries allowed

·    It is not required but it is a kind and encouraging gesture to comment on others pieces.

Let's IMAGINE!

Launching Takhayyal; let's get inspired!

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Artists, Poets, Writers, Authors, Dreamers, Friends and Family; Welcome EVERYONE to the launch of Nadaness In Motion's picture-inspiration weekly writing challenge.

Arabic for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and get our Muses to work once more.

As you may have read before, the prompt will include photography, artwork and random pictures found online.

The first picture used for the first challenge will be a dedication to and in honour of art and writing.

So without further ado, let's begin!

Picture titled Mathiole, artist unknown, provided by Sara Ahmed.

General guidelines:

·        No nudity, violence, and/or abuse.

·        Word count: No minimum, but 300 should be enough so others can have the chance to comment on various works (not going to be too strict about this bit)

·        Leave the link to your post in comments below OR post your piece as REPLY to this post

·        Your piece MUST be inspired in some way or other by the above picture

·        Multiple entries allowed

·        It is not required but it is a kind and encouraging gesture to comment on others pieces.

Artists and photographers CAN still send their works to my email. More about the picture guidelines here.

Let's IMAGINE!

Searching for the Fire

  

My fire is faltering,

My soul smouldering

But into a failing haze

Not a bright flagrant blaze

Foggy eyes despite the light

Tear-blurred vision,

A faltering will to fight,

No choice, no decision

The bells chime

As the cage door unseals;

It's time for the mountain climb

But there I stand; from progress I reel.

***

Darkness soothes me,

But not this kind,

For there are two.

I'm stuck in stale darkness,

Not fluid and free

I need air

To blow me away

I need fire

To burn it all into oblivion

To keep me warm

Amidst sight-blurring change

I need…

To become me once again.