Tag Archive | Poetry

My painted nails

Jan25

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Different kinds of chemo have different side effects

There could be a funny taste in one’s mouth

Food may not seem as flavour full as before

Nausea is a common one

And hair loss as well as fatigue

There is a strange side effect that involves the finger nails

They start getting darker at the cuticle

And that dark patch expands gradually

First this happened to my thumb nails

And then the other finger nails

My toe nails too

My oncologist said I could paint my nails

But first I decided it didn’t bother me so much

No one was staring at may nails anyway

And this would be over in a few months

Then yesterday I changed my mind

And painted my finger nails and toe nails

It took a while

It was a bit messy

And because I don’t have the patience to let them dry

They got smudged

And I had to paint them over again

But once it was done I found my nails prettier than before

And every time I look at my finger nails now

I’m not reminded of chemo

January 17th, 2023

Where has kindness gone?

Jan24

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Where has kindness gone?

I miss it so

It used to perfume the air

It made the flowers bloom

It could be felt in the spring air

It would illumine the room

Where has kindness gone?

I miss it so

The days are darker now

The sun is hiding behind the clouds

I’m sure if kindness came back

The sun would shine again

Where has kindness gone?

People don’t smile that much 

No one lends a helping hand 

No one talks to each other on the street

No one brings flowers anymore

Where has kindness gone?

Is it hiding at the end of a rainbow?

Is it in the pot of gold?

It’s time for kindness to come back

We need it so

January 24th

Inspired by a poem written by a friend in Iran

I can’t imagine

Jan22

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I can’t imagine how it feels

When your destiny is in the hands of those 

Who don’t have your best interest at heart

Those with ulterior motives 

With no concern for justice 

I can’t imagine how it feels

To wait three more days to have their verdict

Freedom or jail 

And how long?

It’s like deja vu

After all, this happened years ago as well

And the result was ten years of imprisonment

I can’t imagine the strength it takes

To deal with this uncertainly  

And accept what comes with acquiescence 

Acquiescence resulting from faith and certitude that all will be well 

Having tasted the feeling of freedom 

After five months of imprisonment 

I can’t imagine how one prepares oneself for any eventuality 

Knowing that one could be in confinement

Far from friends and family again

I can’t imagine 

January 22nd 2023

For my dear friend, Afif Naimi 

who was imprisoned for ten years because he is a Baha’i

and is awaiting a court date again

My chipped plate

Jan22

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It’s a small round ceramic desert plate, chipped in one area

The rusty color of the clay visible there

First, I wanted to put that plate away or under the other ones in the set

But then when I did that, I missed it

It’s a unique plate like no other in the set

It has personality and color

It has history

Although I don’t know how it got chipped

Perfection is attractive

But most times we are like the chipped plate with a tale to tell

Our imperfections make us real and unique 

January 21st, 2023

My calling

Jan21

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Another cloudy day

The sun has abandoned us

It’s either cloudy

Or it snows

Or there is freezing rain

Our hearts year for sunshine

But my energy is back

And there is lots to do

From writing, to editing to publishing

To making videos and adding poetry to my website

It’s almost a part-time job

But there is no monetary compensation

No career perks

Similar to being a full-time mom

That’s how I’ve spend most of my life

Doing things that I find important and rewarding

But not earning a dime

I call Albert my benefactor

He has supported me all along

He says raising children is a most important job

And as for writing

I have no choice

I think it’s my calling in this life

January 21st, 2023

Almost vegetarian

Jan19

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My dishes are ‘almost vegetarian’

Let me explain

Instead of one serving of meet per person

I use half a serving

For example 50 grams chicken instead of 100

I replace the other half a serving with vegetables

Mushroom, sweet peppers, beans and peas etc.

This way you can still have the taste of meet

And yet eat a lot of vegetables and greens

I’m sure many vegetarians would not like this classification

« There is no almost vegetarian, » they’d say, feeling frustrated

« How can you eat meet and call it vegetarian?”

But I said almost vegetarian, didn’t I?

Jan 18th, 2023

Sharing my journey

Jan18

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We usually don’t talk about illnesses like cancer

Many people decide to keep it to themselves

I can understand that

I hesitated a little at first

But not for long

I live a very transparent life

So the friends I’m in touch with regularly found out first

There is the initial sense of surprise 

And then come the warm comforting thoughts

The advantage of sharing of the news of this illness with friends

Is receiving their love and support and 

Their prayers and well wishes

They reach out to you and let you know 

You are not alone in this journey

Cancer treatment has advanced substantially 

If detected early, the prognosis is good

So, I’m sharing my journey with my friends

Their love and compassion sustains me and gives me strength 

January 18th, 2023

My finger nails

Jan17

 

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Different kinds of chemo have different side effects

There could be a funny taste in your mouth

Food may not seem as flavour full as before

Nausea is a common one

And hair loss as well as fatigue

There is a strange side effect that involves the finger nails

They start getting darker at the cuticle end

And that dark patch expands gradually

First it happened to my thumb nails

And then the other finger nails

The toe nails too

My oncologist said I could paint my nails

But I’ve decided it doesn’t bother me so much

No one stares at may nails anyway

And this will be over in a few months

 

January 17th, 2023

My bead necklace

Jan16

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It’s a handmade necklace made of Amazonite, Gladstone and Honey Clacite beads

The Honey Calcite beads are translucent and in shades of yellow and orange

Exactly how you would expect them to be

They are believed to increase confidence and courage

And assist in overcoming obstacles

The Amazonite beads are opaque and in shades of light green

They dispel negative energy and calm the nervous system 

And help in maintaining good health 

The Gladstone beads come in different shades

Mine glitter and are a dark goldish colour

These beads are said to have healing powers and call your spirit into serenity

But the most special aspect of this necklace

Is the love that went into creating it

The thoughtfulness

The generosity 

The caring

It is a gift from a kindhearted soul

Who is concerned about my well being

Time and creativity and positive energy

Have gone into making it

And a lot of goodwill

Those things by themselves bring me joy and healing 

January 16th, 2023

Where is the tofu?

Jan13

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I was at the grocery store 

I like your headscarf she said

I said it was because of my chemo treatment

Breast cancer, she asked?

Yes, I said

I’ve had breast cancer too, she said

Only surgery and radiation though

The mastectomy was very uncomfortable

Pain, and the dreadful surgical drain

That drains the excess fluid from your body after surgery

But they did a great job with the reconstruction

These are the things we talked about

Because I asked her where the tofu was 

January 12, 2023