A Labyrinth of life and living
Flies by with the passing minutes,
Striving to leave imprints,
That are positive in their fleeting

Flight, that they can’t be bound.
Imprisoned by labels, categories,
Races, and groups that astound
In their versatility, but not humanities.

I’ve lived in this labyrinth of life,
Where negativity was the succor
Given by some of my entourage, that’s rife
With jealousy, bias, and is a bereaver.

They suck out the optimism and
Joy of life out of each stupendous second,
That you fear drowing in the labyrinth
Of fiery destruction that steals your breath.

Instead, let the minutia of the labyrinth
Turn into an adventurous life in stealth.

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

I watch as she pirouettes,
Her dress, a parachute, flies
In waves to her flutters.

Her sensual beauty attracts
An audience, not for her moves,
But for the supplication in her eyes.

They shine with an inner peace
That translates into a pace
Shinier than the purest diamond face.

My gaze is glued to her flexible
Limbs that have divined that the rain bubble
Ensconces her in a world where trouble

Is an abstract concept she’s never
Experienced, as her innocent cover
Protects her as she adds prayer to the dancer.

As her body flows, swings, undulates,
She hears titters on her esthetics.
She says: ‘Believe in a faith that provides
Truth and dares to challenge lies.’

They then turn away and bicker,
Having forgotten why she was a riveting picture.

©️Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

Forge your will in steal,
Outmaneuver your enemies, who feel,
Replete in knowing they’re the heel.
Give them your support when they fall,
Inspire them to be better than before.
View their progress and motivate before you bore,
Inverting foe to friend, like before.
Never lose hope for betterment
Even when all is stacked against you,
Simmer the anger, put logic to the forefront
Survive, learn, educate, that hope is never gone.

©️ Malak Kalmoni Chehab ©️

Mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend,
All are one and the same in muslim women.
We hear what we need,
We mishear what we deem reprehensible!

We learn early the need for compromise, understanding,
And flexibility which are requirements of survival
In a world where the ‘I’ is more important than fighting
For togetherness, unity, and equality. Rather,
It’s replaced by the needs of the individual!

They surpass and prevail over the duties of the whole,
Whether that be the couple, nuclear and extended
Family which help fortify and solidify the need,
More, the essential requirements of values, ethics, and religiously
Equitable interactions that eliminate racism and all that’s dicrimatory.

We have to seem ‘perfect’ in both appearance and morality.
We have to be learned, open minded, not fearfully
Aware that we can be imperfect, human, and loving.
Not being the epitome of everything only highlights your humanity.

©️Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

Dear Self,

As I look back into my past actions, I realize that there were things that I should have changed. It’s interesting how so many authors, politicians, philosophers have written about ‘the past’ in relation to our present selves, but we continue to belabor the point. McCarthy states in All the Pretty Horses, that “Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.” Without this reminder, we won’t learn the lessons that the past has taught us, but rather repeat them mindlessly as if we don’t know any better. As I recall my worst mistake, I realize today, that it could have been circumvented by simply communicating clearly. However, if you’re like me, and the problem is within the family, you omit speaking in order to be respectful and not hurt the feelings of those you love.
I’ve also learned, that when you speak your mind and express yourself concisely, you get the result you need: understanding. Without talking, how can others know how you’re feeling, or even how you’re affected by a particular event? Added to that, by discussing the problem, calmly, you get to see the different perspectives that each individual is coming from, rather than assuming you already know. I’ve learned that assuming someone’s motives for an action may be wrong, and that is what leads to greater misunderstandings and conflict.
I think that Katherine Anne Porter says it best, as she expresses it best in saying: “The past is never where you think you left it.” By that she means that with the information, maturity you had at the time, you can grasp a part of the events that occurred. However, in retrospect, having changed, become wiser through various experiences, makes your perspective of the event change with time. Here I don’t mean the actions that took place, but rather the reactions and assumptions that you had made.
I’ll sum up with my poetic version of this:

Communication is a tool
You use to oppress the pool
Of depression, that spawns from regret
Over actions taken in past event.

Couch your speech,
Make it into a delicate flower to preach
Behaviors that promote, compassion,
Understanding, love, and devotion.

Best,
Your wiser self

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

The combat to stear away from ingrained
Stereotypes built on empowering one group over
Others has been historically documented
Over and over again, without respite from war,
Revolution, rebellion, and power of religion.

Gaslighting’s cruelty needs to end,
People need to accept that they lend
One another strength, humanity, and empathy
That encompasses all within its circly,
Eviscerating all negativity of cruelty.

Just as gaslight’s days have disappeared,
So should we annex racism, superiority,
Cruelty, and hate from our vocabulary
To surpass our own need of demeaning Others to feel lightly about our savagery.

Eventually, the subjugated becomes the tyrant
In a bid to brush off the feel of enslavement.
The mortal heart can only take such demeaning
Speech for so long, then pride and the need
To assert one’s existence and value
Will, inevitably, lead to violence that bleed
Inflammatory speech, writing, cartoons,
Or any type of social media that accepts
Such verbal vulgarity.

People who feel a connection to their humanity,
I implore you to set aside learned cruelty,
Open your minds to others, brothers sisters,
In compassion and empathy reigning freely.
©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️
From my poetry book, Perfectly Flawed

Fragile paper hearts
Easy to tear,
but cuts
Like a bear.

Its unique shape
Lends to despair,
When it broke
By your hand and air.

Its unique shape
Rises into fullness,
Then dips in face
Of falsehood that pierce.

Look into its shape
That seems divided
Into yay and nay, a cape
Of vascillation that cried.

Its tear wails
Till eye sight is blind
With too many choices
And decisions that bind.

Oh ye who have
A paper heart,
Let its love
Blind you and don’t cut.

I’ve seen too many broken promises,
Their effects are devastating on families.

I made mine, knowing that I’d overcome
Difficulties, heartache, and use compromise,

Patience, and understanding to destroy
All obstacles that try to be coy.

The struggle itself builds a stronger
Connection between us and helps us flower.

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

Share your inner thoughts, ideas, ideals,
That power your imagination and hails
Down upon you, admiration, envy that entails
You have to choose who needs some derails.

Today, we hide behind our likes,
Our social media personae that drives
Our self-esteem into the grounds
If it’s not up to par with our peers’.

Why do we hide?
Is intimacy such a bad ride,
That you need masks to keep all inside?

Or do you soar in flight
Fall, shatter, break, and give only a bite
Out of the ball, then turn it into a free

“To Time
Hello time,
Haven’t heard from you for a long time.
How are you spending your time,
Without me coming along for a run of time?

I miss your light, bright laugh as you fly by
Your transience makes you all the more precious.
Don’t abandon my side and leave me lonely.
Alone to face your swiftly moving wondrous
Glory that eases with your passing.”
(Chehab, M. K., PerfectlyFlawed, 2021)

I wished to thank you for your time, the one that helped me overcome pain and disillusionment, that almost brought me down, at one time or another.  Yes time, your earthly flow is a balm on my soul, which you soothed with your constant presence and support.  Your availability at all hours of the day brought me comfort, when I was confused and drawn. Your help in marking time with me, gave me permission to speak my mind and get all the hurt off my chest.  ‘A clean slate’ for a time, is a wondrous gift of rejuvenation imbued in optimism.
Whenever I think of you, time, I know that each of your hands is holding me up to the tests of time.  In my five decades, I have emigrated four times to three Continents,  experienced loss, betrayal,  disillusionment,  fear, horror, injustice,  motherhood, ‘wifehood’, childhood upheaval,  travel, adventure,  laughter, faith, optimism, and love.  With your help, time, I have had many ups and downs, but what leaves the greatest impression is laughter.  To laugh is to live, and, to live is to savor life.  With laughter comes the humor of a situation that you can only perceive when thinking positively.  They’ve even come up with laughing yoga, laughter university (California- of course, where else?!!), and laughing Kung Fu.  If that doesn’t prove my point, I don’t know what will! So, laughter is uplifting, optimistic, and tickles your funny bone in order to redirect your frown to a smile! It’s also important to note that, life’s constant changes and your ability to adapt to new realities is but a drop in the well of your knowledge and patience, especially when you have a sense of humor that helps alleviate the stress, anxiety of any major changes.
Relish each stage in your life as each is as transient as time itself,  one moment it’s there, another gone into the caverns of memories so deep you need to excavate them in order to remember a specific moment in time.  I’ve learned that time is precious, and that you need to make the most of this treasure you’ve been given. As time flows into an ocean of evocation: a smell, a ray of light, a flower, a cry, a laugh, a touch, a kiss, or all together, will invoke a feeling of well-being that’s unparalleled in your heart.   Savor it, and don’t dwell on the negativity that time, and time again, may erode facts turning them into feelings and interpretations that become dubious in their veracity.
I hope we meet more often time, as I enjoy unburdening my lot to your compassionate ear.
Yours truly,