A little excerpt from a poem I wrote for my creative writing class:
Enclosed in a borderless land, I exist in Chicago with crescent moons pressed under my eyes,
singing a lullaby of lies about the night sky. The city’s refuse is dumped in Michigan Lake whose darkened blue waters are my only refuge when the sky is blanketed in smog. I bike to the lake every night to let my caged soul out to breathe for a few hours while I drink the thin and pale reflection of the moon and the stars.
~
I've always been attached to vast bodies of water and the secrets they hold. Living in a land-locked state has always been difficult, and especially so when I come back after staying in Chicago for my studies, now that I know what I'm missing. It's always a place I visit when I want to clear my mind or just freely think about anything. Lately I've been in reflection about where I am in my life and where I want to go and what I want to do. I've always just imagined myself intellectually stumbling through life and being at ease doing so, but I'm starting to have second thoughts on what that even means to me. I feel like saying "I'll just take whatever life throws at me" is easier said than done. I can't help but let my thoughts drift to the unknown waters of what lays ahead, which, I suppose, is not new for me.
It might just be that I have just been pulled away from my home and comfort zone for too long; as Rumi says "Anyone pulled from their source longs to go back." This is hoping that this trip to Iran will refresh and recharge~
I usually don't get very personal on JooJoo Azad, so thanks for bearing with me and my
I was planning on writing a Social Action Sunday post for today about cultural appropriation in fashion, but I've just been so wrapped up in doing nothing that it just slipped my mind, but I promise I'll get something up soon! In the meantime, I've teamed up with a few other bloggers to put together an amazing giveaway Monday afternoon (all Intsagram based!) so be sure to come back tomorrow for that! xx
Photo via my Instagram: @hodakatebi | Location: Michigan Lake, Chicago
Happy Summer (and 1 year anniversary to my brother (Cadmium Soul))!
Until tomorrow,
<(')
This is so incredibly beautiful! i feel like i can totally relate as i am originally from Alexandria, Egypt, where we lived right next to the sea. now i live in central UK, and i crave the seaside life and the crashing waves. i often think about just dropping everything and moving back but easier said than done! lol xx
ReplyDeleteNadda
naddaosman.blogspot.com
hey sweetie!
ReplyDeleteyou have fantastic style! love the details of your outfits! they are just wow!!!!
let's stay in touch ! just like y fb page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fashion-Railways/265825453534258?fref=ts
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I will follow you right back hun:)
kisses
Vicky
http://www.fashionrailways.com
Wow, your writing is a beauty. You are so eloquent and your poem sounds like something out of an anthology. I know what you mean by wanting to be by the coast. You can feel so suffocated in a big city where the shore is far away. I think if you can't get coast, countryside is your best bet. It is equally refreshing and exhilarating. Rosemary x
ReplyDeleterosemaryofelephants.blogspot.com
Your poem was beautiful, I really love the images you created with your words. And I feel much the same as you do half the time- I want to just roll with whatever life brings me, but not knowing what that might be gives me moments of second guessing. It's really tough!
ReplyDeletePS I bought my dad the shaving cream you suggested in your fathers day post- he loved it!! :)
xo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
Oh thank you so much, It's so nice to hear that you can relate! Oh my gosh I just googled images of Alexandria and wow. It's is so breathtaking and I would be dying to return, as well! For me, I actually didn't grow up alongside a body of water, and I think that is why I am attached to them--it is something I've always craved!
ReplyDeleteOh my now you have me wanderlusting (is that a verb? Google says no) about Alexandria! xx
Rosemary, you're always so kind, thank you! So very honored that you enjoy it! xx
ReplyDeleteHaha indeed! Coast > all things (simplified summary ;) )
Thank you so much, Marlen! I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteAh yes--if you ever find some sort of solace or solution please do share! xx
And ahh really!? I'm so glad to hear that your father enjoyed the Lush shaving cream! You can never go wrong with socially-responsible gifts! ;)
WOW such a touching piece Hoda, I can totally relate to your beautiful words. I'm originally from tanzania and as a child I used to spend most weekends by the Indian Ocean. As a teenager and young adult I lived in Long Beach, California just 4 blocks from the beach and every morning as part of my fitness I would run on the beach. The beach is certainly a place of solace and peace for me. Now I live in stockholm, sweden and there is nothing I miss more than being close to the water. I hope to return someday :) thank you for sharing this lovely poem. I hope you find have a wonderful time in Iran.
ReplyDeleteDee
Ms Dee Kay