The ABCs of Life

Don’t be sad little darling,
this is just the way the world is;
bright sunny days will always have
a dark ending.
I know you hate seeing ‘adik’ sleep
and having to need to sleep yourself is boring
but nightime is just one of the things
to help you rest and energize
just like eating fruits and vegetables
and doing the running exercise.

Don’t be angry little child,
if you can’t finish building
towers with your blocks,
or winning the games you love,
tomorrow will come InshaAllah
for you to continue learning and trying.

Don’t be frustrated little angel,
if you trip or fall as you run,
and don’t worry if after many times
your towers can’t properly stand,
or if you can’t seem to get it right
all the times you tried to draw
an Ultraman.

I know it’s hard my little darling,
but there’ll always be a helping hand
and life is always about learning,
so try your best to enjoy
your wonderful efforts rather than just cry.

I know sometimes it’s confusing
to want but not able to do or have
for there are boundaries and limits
to even the finest body and mind.

This is how life is little sweetheart,
and may one day you’ll find
the wisdom and courage
to accept and understand His Might.

Love,
Ummi a.k.a k-e-w
Furze, May 16, 2008 156am

p/s: Especially to Mama and Loy, and to all other teachers, educators including those busy Moms and Dads who pay great attention to their children’s growth and care, those who might accidentally stumble upon this blog or read it everyday, Happy Teachers Day! Once a teacher, will always be one

Dare you say goodnight
when the angels
have just begun the fight.

I know you’re sleepy and tired,
but youth and childhood
aren’t here to stay forever.

Lets take out the balloons
and blow loads to play all day,
all night…
if that’s what it takes
to ease and reduce the plight.

I know it’s not easy,
but one day you’ll wish
they’ll never grow up
and please just be babies every day.

Why are you so grumpy?
When God is Gracious
and always aware,
counting all the days
each and every second
you’re struggling to stay
awake…and loving
to those little people
wanting and waiting
for your care!

I’m trying angels…
and I love you anyways…

Sleepless Momma down south
a.k.a k-e-w
0748am , Apr 23rd, 2008

It’s the blessed Day of ‘Arafah in Southampton. My eldest sister in Malaysia has just gone to hospital awaiting for delivery of her first child. My brother in Vancouver has just dropped me a line asking about tracking a parcel he has been anxiously waiting. And my husband is currently in a meeting for his transfer viva. The amount of nervousness and anxiety I have now … only God knows!

Butterflies in my stomach, this anxious feeling is holding me back.

I hope this time will quickly pass.

I wish the clock won’t just tick; can’t it just make the hour round complete?

Oh Lord, let this anxiety flee in exchange of Your kindest certainty.

I wish, I pray, things will be OK

as never would You burden one with more than he could bear.

My cold fingers put together; holding on to You

praying for a warm shining star lighting this dark freezing real-life drama.

Oh Allah, don’t leave me to myself I shall go astray

Oh Allah, don’t leave me to myself I shall fade away…

khaleel el-wafy, 18th Dec 2005 @2:51pm

Out of place, still. Though time passes and changes took place.

It still rains once in a while, but no worries for there’s an umbrella in the house.

Those sleepless nights seemed to have no ending

yet they are filled with love; fulfilling and honouring responsibilities.

There are still miles, and miles away to walk

and sometimes there might be a need to run along

with great care not to stumble, and not to trip.

But the shoe fits perfectly now, nicely keeping the sole

warm and comfortable to play it’s role.

khaleel el-wafy

1628pm 3rd Nov 2007, Furzedown Rd.

Ramadhan is heading to an end and this is the best part of it. I’m supposed to be thrilled with excitement as the race is on but …

I don’t like to finish it negatively … and I pray that everyone will have enough energy and spirit to enjoy every last bit of Ramadhan to gain what you wish from it. Life’s too short to be sighing about things too little especially when you’re blessed with something too big like Ramadan, right?! Here’s a poem (in Malay though), written few months back for me, myself and everyone to ponder upon. Oh ALlah, don’t leave me to myself, I shall go astray. Oh ALlah, don’t leave me to myself, I shall fade away …

:: Nota buat muharrik ::

Yang tuntas mengguyur
bebunga hati
adalah air hangat
dari kolam mata nan redup.
Meladeni tribulasi,
jalannya ribu-ribu duri
meranjau, sesekali mencacat ritma muharrik.

Dunia kepingin emansipasi.
Tuntutan atas nama hak,
jagoan sentimen alami?
Yang merimbun jiwa ummah
adalah keliru, jahil
dan nafsu yang lengeng dari
hijab taqwa mempamer ‘aib
hurungan rengit-rengit ajaib.

Ajaib!
Sebusuk-busuk baunya
tak terhidu rongga nan capik.
Santai,
tak ada yang mengadu meski dilingkung jelek.
Hanya ada jerit muharrik terlandai
yang ingin bingkas lepas dan lari,
kembali menjunjung titah rabbani.

Usah gusar hai muharrik!
Jalan saja penuh ‘izzah memulau polemik.
Rengit-rengit ajaib itu
tidurkan di celah dua tanganmu.

khaleel el-wafy
030607, fd

Friends and Readers,

Me and a group of friends from GKLN (http://gkln.blogspot.com) has just produced an anthology titled Wilayah Cinta (in Bahasa Malaysia), published by esastera.com. The anthology presents the work of 15 Malaysian students (except me) which are currently studying abroad - in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Egypt etc. - with poetry as a medium and genre, and Islam and Muslims being the main theme.

This is the second anthology (poetry) by GKLN after Al-Andalus Menangis, and sincerely we’re no professionals in writing and publishing (well, not all of us, I’d say some might be ;)) but this anthology manifests the journey of a group of people struggling to learn and experience the art of Islamic poetry, to be shared with others.

To those interested in having a copy, please contact my dearest sister Nurul Alia Zulkifli at 012-2986744. You can have it posted to your doorstep by banking in RM13 (for a copy, free postage - compliments from me :)) to Alia’s Muamalat Bank account : 1205-0035408- 72-8 and don’t forget to notify my sister when you do so okay?). I’d be pleased to give discounts for anybody interested in more than one copy. For your information, this anthology is currently available for purchase within Malaysia only. Find out more from http://gkln.blogspot.com.

I know, I know … you won’t be able to understand nor enjoy this note unless you could understand Malay/Bahasa Malaysia. But I have no intention to make a translation for it shall spoil the purpose and fun of it! Anyway, ‘makcik’ literally means aunt which is also used widely to address an elderly woman in Malaysia …

If you’re a mom like me, to angels-cum-monsters like my little darlings, you might have the same feelings at times ;).

p/s: Please pray for us at home … we’re terribly sick, looks like it’s hayfever but going to the GP this evening to know for sure. My poor little fellas, allahuyashfeekum!

Missing my friends. My dearest friends. For no particular reason except for a heart that still feels in a soul that’s still breathing. I miss them!

—
Love is blind.
You forgive,
you forget
for love
no matter how deep is the cut.

You saw those black spots
imperfection,
the dark side
airing negative thoughts.
But love is blind,
letting them remain unnoticed
perceiving only beauty and kindness
with all your heart.

Love is blind.
No wonder there’s never a mountain too high
or a jungle too wild,
no view could deceive
what a heart perceives
as love, perfection.
Devotion.
The sense of being complete.

But love, believes in eternity
where happines lies and freedom lives
hence, lovers fly to the skies
without wings, yet a heart fully determined.
And what’s with those glittering wonders,
temporal splendours
when the world shall only means darkness to the eyes
of those who believe.

I wish to love and see Thee,
to walk through this destiny
in blindness of hardship and sufferings
leaving pain and bad memories remain unnoticed.

Love is blind.
Thank God, it is!

khaleel el-wafy
644am, 23/5/07
S’oton.

Kelmarin aku bermimpi
suria bersinar cemerlang
di lorong sunyi ini,
burung-burung menyanyikan lagu riang
dan bayu lembut berbisik;
bahagia telah datang,
bahagia sudah menjelang.

Tetapi semalam,
mimpi indah jadi ngeri;
langit memuntahkan petir
dan awan gemawan hitam
dikejar pekik angin
ribut dan kabut,
lorong sunyi jadi gelap
hujungnya jalan mati.

Apakah?
Aku tak mengerti.
Keliru makin bingung,
benarkah hujan panas
bisa menemukan pelangi?

Tinggal harap pada Kau yang sudi.
Dengarkan,
jangan tinggal aku sendiri.
Leraikan,
usah yakinku berbelah bagi.
Tuhan,
biar kutahu erti isyarat-Mu
dan hati …
ittaqi, ittaqi!

khaleel el-wafy
0024am 060507, rumah kecil Furzedown Road