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 […] View
It’s the first day of September. I know, it feels like the summer went by so fast.
As is the custom at the beginning of a new month, I make it feel right at home.
And I hope that September brings all of you comfort and joy as the seasons start to change.
This is my welcome to the month:
Try to remember, this kind of September
The ninth month of twelve in 2023
30 days begin anew
A season of transition on the horizon
From summer in the first half to fall in the second half
Celebrating labor, remembering a most fateful day and Hispanic heritage
The days shorten as the heat lessens
A month of going places
All roads first lead to the Hellenic Republic
And then, to the next work destination
Try to remember this kind of September
A time where everything’s up in the air
Oswald, I love that you start each month with a piece. It is so uplifting and really sets a positive tone for the new month. Keep being you. You are pure sunshine and I am so glad you found our writing family. <3 Lauren
As someone who has gone through sexual trauma, keep writing your feelings, and now that you will continue to heal yourself. You are so powerful. You’ve got this! <3 Lauren
As I’ve done on the first day of each month for the last three years, I write a poem to welcome in the new month. It’s crazy to think that five months have already passed, and so much has happened since 2023 began. A new temporary job after eight years in my previous one, co-hosting an open mic for poets with disabilities and attempting to move forward on becoming an independent adult. So many poems and writings created, with many people past and present making stops in my life.
Now, the summer is beginning to take hold prior to the season’s formal beginning. June is a blank slate right now, there’s a lot of space to fill between now and the 30th.
Without further ado…the poem:
Welcome, the month of June!
As the year is flying by
The sixth month is here already
30 new days have arrived
A month of transition
Spring’s ending and summer’s on the horizon
Endless days of blue skies shining
Longer twlight leads the warm nights
A blank slate is on tap right now
It won’t stay that way for long
It’s time to close out
An eventful first half of the year
Thank you for sharing and I think that what you’re doing is very very unique. Writing a poem for the first day of each month. This is a really good way to start off the month
“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.
Malakkc this was such a heavy and educational piece. Thank you so much for sharing!! I like how you described time in different phases/sequences which allowed for the space to breathe and appreciate time as we know it!
Wishing you well 🙂
Hi,
This was my first piece on the unsealed, and I’m still flabbergasted that it still gets likes. If you enjoy what you’ve read, please follow me on my blog: http://www.malakkcwriting.com.
Thanks for the beautiful comment, they help inspire more writing!