2
I get on the platform and I get The Look.
From five people.
The same look I get at least twice a day - yes I've counted.
Every time I leave my house.
Whether I'm out during the day or night. Dark or light.
I could be ending my day, or starting it.
And its the same, same old shit.
I AM TIRED OF IT.
That look of hatred and disgust.
In a world where people hate to discuss
and only discuss to hate.
Sometimes I'd like to physically retaliate but by doing that..
I'm only reinforcing the idea of what you say I am today.
So I refrain.
When I enter the train I choose to stand.
Letting others take the seats around me.
I feel eyes on my neck and as I turn around,
the same eyes, look the other way.
Like I have a massive scar that they simply cannot face.
The adhaan ringtone blares from my phone and they cower away.
Thinking "FUCK. I'm gunna get blown up today!"
I know.
I know its my appearance they cannot stand.
My eyes they cannot look into because,
my hair they cannot see.
They don't know why, and do not ask.
They think my eyes will scold them.
My touch harsh.
My words aggressive.
The Look does more harm to me -
than I could ever do to them.
Still, I pray for them to have courage. I pray for questions.
I pray for them to learn, even if they do not agree.
I pray for them to look deeper, look deeper
and tell me what they see.
I pray.
This is my struggle. This is my Jihad.
To proudly walk down the street. Wearing my Hijab.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Building Foundations
There's buildings that keep on falling down
yet everytime the hit the floor they make no sound
no matter how dramatic their fall may be
you'll never see these buildings brodcasted on t.v
never mentioned on sky , never shown on the bbc.
Oh how I pray for a channel four documentary
just so people can see how much these buildings
matter to you and to me.
But the media doesn't give the time
and has failed to recognise that these buildings could've
changed our lives , saved our lives
put and end to all this hunger and strife
let peoples lips say " I have lived life "
These buildings , let me correct myself they're simply foundations
but when foundations are destroyed , what do you have ?
Nothing. Nothing
These foundations are still taken from every nation
these foundations are not saved from starvation
these foundations are quick to grow old
even though they are younger than 16 years old.
tortured , unfed , extremely sick
caring for their whole family
even though they're just kids.
This is less than they deserve
when we panic at the smallest things
they stay calm and reserved
while their community is breaking off bit by bit
spare a thought , just sit & think
where do they go when they've lost hope?
when we turn to music and computer screens
when we find confidence in our friends
they count their friends on their fingertips
including the deceased.
And when we lose friends and relatives
it strikes us with a pain that never goes away
but they lose the ones closest to them on a day to day.
Imagine their pain.
Every second that goes by
their minds and souls blacken with hatred for the world
the world that we also live in.
These children were the foundations of the new world
but they were killed off at six months old.
Who knows what they could've been
a skilled engineer, a respected politician
or who they could have saved
what if they were a doctor, or the scientist
that cured H.I.V & Aids ?
However , not all foundations have been destroyed
we must make it our job to save as many
as we think possible , because nothing is impossible
with our hearts & our minds, with our strength and our might
lets make a stand and develop a plan
lets bulid foundatons for tomorrows man
for tommorrows lady , for tomorrows teen
and for tomorrows baby.
Lets start today , 'cause there's no time to waste
For the future world , I pray
yet everytime the hit the floor they make no sound
no matter how dramatic their fall may be
you'll never see these buildings brodcasted on t.v
never mentioned on sky , never shown on the bbc.
Oh how I pray for a channel four documentary
just so people can see how much these buildings
matter to you and to me.
But the media doesn't give the time
and has failed to recognise that these buildings could've
changed our lives , saved our lives
put and end to all this hunger and strife
let peoples lips say " I have lived life "
These buildings , let me correct myself they're simply foundations
but when foundations are destroyed , what do you have ?
Nothing. Nothing
These foundations are still taken from every nation
these foundations are not saved from starvation
these foundations are quick to grow old
even though they are younger than 16 years old.
tortured , unfed , extremely sick
caring for their whole family
even though they're just kids.
This is less than they deserve
when we panic at the smallest things
they stay calm and reserved
while their community is breaking off bit by bit
spare a thought , just sit & think
where do they go when they've lost hope?
when we turn to music and computer screens
when we find confidence in our friends
they count their friends on their fingertips
including the deceased.
And when we lose friends and relatives
it strikes us with a pain that never goes away
but they lose the ones closest to them on a day to day.
Imagine their pain.
Every second that goes by
their minds and souls blacken with hatred for the world
the world that we also live in.
These children were the foundations of the new world
but they were killed off at six months old.
Who knows what they could've been
a skilled engineer, a respected politician
or who they could have saved
what if they were a doctor, or the scientist
that cured H.I.V & Aids ?
However , not all foundations have been destroyed
we must make it our job to save as many
as we think possible , because nothing is impossible
with our hearts & our minds, with our strength and our might
lets make a stand and develop a plan
lets bulid foundatons for tomorrows man
for tommorrows lady , for tomorrows teen
and for tomorrows baby.
Lets start today , 'cause there's no time to waste
For the future world , I pray
Happiness?
On what flower do the petals called happiness grow?
Do they come from the bud of a tulip,
Or the orchids white glow?
Maybe they are born of the white dandelion that floats past my ear
And when I fail to grasp it, does happiness disappear?
No , its not flowers that keep the world a happy place
Because even through cold winters and dark nights
Conditions in which to live , a plant would have to fight.
I still see , the sun behind the mist of the clouds
And a mother smiling at her only child.
I still see, lovers hugging ‘cause they’ve found one another
Or a family sharing a meal , because their proud of each other
So tell me now that happiness comes from a rose…
And in response I’ll tell you
That it comes from who you love , and what you know
What you’ve seen and what you’ve heard.
From who you are , and who you were.
It come from where you’ve been and where your going.
Happiness is that grandfather clock that always seems like its slowing.
So that we can cherish the past , and make use of today.
Happiness was born in your memories
But in your memories it will not stay
For it travels the same path as you.
Do they come from the bud of a tulip,
Or the orchids white glow?
Maybe they are born of the white dandelion that floats past my ear
And when I fail to grasp it, does happiness disappear?
No , its not flowers that keep the world a happy place
Because even through cold winters and dark nights
Conditions in which to live , a plant would have to fight.
I still see , the sun behind the mist of the clouds
And a mother smiling at her only child.
I still see, lovers hugging ‘cause they’ve found one another
Or a family sharing a meal , because their proud of each other
So tell me now that happiness comes from a rose…
And in response I’ll tell you
That it comes from who you love , and what you know
What you’ve seen and what you’ve heard.
From who you are , and who you were.
It come from where you’ve been and where your going.
Happiness is that grandfather clock that always seems like its slowing.
So that we can cherish the past , and make use of today.
Happiness was born in your memories
But in your memories it will not stay
For it travels the same path as you.
What you've taught me
The trees and bushes finally have meaning
As I look out of the window and see the sun gleaming,
I pay attention to the leaves on the branches
And at last I see colour.
Now in my mind I envision greens , dark and light
But with my eyes I see reds , warm and bright
And I immediately think of you.
So I’m thankful that you’ve been there when I’ve called your name
When you’ve helped me through situations
That couldn’t fully explain.
When I lost the words and I’d start to fight,
You told me it was fine , that I’d be alright
So I sat myself down and I’d start to write.
And sometimes it seemed as though you needed me
‘cause I wouldn’t call on you,
But there you’d be.
That’s when I learnt what real friendship means.
Not just to be there when that person is in a state,
But to be there no matter that persons state.
To be there , simply for the sake of being.
As I look out of the window and see the sun gleaming,
I pay attention to the leaves on the branches
And at last I see colour.
Now in my mind I envision greens , dark and light
But with my eyes I see reds , warm and bright
And I immediately think of you.
So I’m thankful that you’ve been there when I’ve called your name
When you’ve helped me through situations
That couldn’t fully explain.
When I lost the words and I’d start to fight,
You told me it was fine , that I’d be alright
So I sat myself down and I’d start to write.
And sometimes it seemed as though you needed me
‘cause I wouldn’t call on you,
But there you’d be.
That’s when I learnt what real friendship means.
Not just to be there when that person is in a state,
But to be there no matter that persons state.
To be there , simply for the sake of being.
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