REVERSE (video) POEM

Do You Think I'm Fat?

Insecurities suck! I wish I could tell every breathing soul that they are beautiful because every person truly is beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Do you think I'm fat?

I asked 

Not anticipating an answer

Rubbing thighs 

A dangling tummy

Is all I see

And disappointment is all I could read 

Across her weary face 

She stared back 

You're beautiful

She lied with no shame

Beauty?

I can't see it in you 

It's there, but you don't want to see it

Once again, she lied

How could a one-syllable-word hold such power anyways?

The moment it was used in reference to you

She disappeared with silence 

Leaving no residue in the mirror 

Standing before me.

Sleepless Night

The black ceiling hovers over me
My eyes refuse closure
I stare at the clock
What time is it there?
Empty space is all I see
Miles and miles away
I wait for the morning light
It's seven hours away Ticking and tocking shamelessly
The clock lies
It reads11:11 PM
Make a wish You have a flight to catch tomorrow 

Dear Creative Writing classmates,


You were fabulous and professional slam poets today.
Your words were so powerful that I got goosebumps!
I'm so proud of us all!!! :)


Have a wonderful Spring Break,


Maisaloon Al-Ashkar

Essential To Life, My Best Friend's Brain That Is

I was recently challenged to use water as an extended metaphor in a poem about my best friends brain. Since this poem was technically due today, I thought I would post it on my blog instead to receive feedback from my peers this way. I would love to read and give feedback to you on your poems, so I encourage all my creative writing peers to post their "my best friend's brain" poems.

(Let me know if you find out who my "best friend" is!) :)

Essential to life

My best friend’s brain that is

To me, it’s as transparent as could be

It leaks wisdom

That drenches the thirsty concrete of my home

With unconditional attention   

It’s filled with comforting words that rush

Swiftly down her flickering mouth

Splashing my frown with a drop of hope 

It overflows with sympathy

As she outspreads her hands to offer a

Refreshing embrace

It’s enrobed with laughter

As her lips crease aloft

Washing away my gloom

Pouring tiny dribs of clarity

Down the dry lanes

Of my polluted domain  

It’s not a commodity that can be

Trapped in a vain bottle

It’s a human right

For all the young and old

For every animal and plant

It’s a prudent resource

That nourishes

But is never nourished back –

Essential to life

My best friend’s brain that is

To me, it’s as transparent as could be.

This is one of the first videos that introduced me to spoken word poetry!

List Poem

White

Tiny droplets of hail 

Join their fellow flakes

Alighting on the

Powdered surface

Creating a flawless 

Bed of snow

Tempting the playful

Children to lay against

The pearly land

And craft spotless

Snow Angels

As their arms and legs

Swipe the hue-less 

Floor of snow 

Repeatedly

Until their rain coats

Camouflage with

The pristine ground

As if it was a blank

Canvas formed

Only of

White pigments

Haiku

Unforgettable 


When I gaze at you

     The world won't stop revolving

            Lights begin to dim.

My eyes are running 

      My hands glide across your skin

           Gradual slipping.

Tired, is all I see

     Thinking will not ease the pain

           Only makes it worse.

Thoughts refuse escape

      A wild instant caught in time

           Now, forever stuck.