Laws of attraction!!

How many times have you looked at a face you happened to come across-by sheer coincidence- and knew at that exact moment that it would somehow make a difference and possibly change the course of your life forever?

How many times have you passed by someone, not knowing who it is and not stopping to look at their face, yet a gut feeling appears out of the blue, persistently telling you to slow down and sneak if only a quick glance at that face! And to your utmost surprise, you do just that without knowing why you did it in the first place!!

Is it chemistry?
Is it magic?
Or is it just another inexplicable phenomenon, which we have long stopped looking for a rational explanation for!?

Well, I guess it is the outcome of having all those possibilities blended together! Which makes it the more puzzling!

Honestly, I do find it extremely strange the way we are attracted to certain people in life, as though an invisible power draws us to them, making us want to be close to them, if only to sense their existence and bask in the feeling of content we get out of that closeness!

Sometimes we do not stop to ask ourselves why, or analyze that turmoil of crazy feelings battling inside of us, causing us to act funny sometimes! All we know is that an unseen chord is linking us to a particular soul, bringing us a step closer to that irresistible aura its beholder seems to possess!

Is that how people develop an affection toward each other? Is that how they fall in love? I really cannot say, for I have always wondered how it'd feel like to have your heart pound in a chaotic rhythm just thinking of its true desire, conjuring their face or even uttering their name!

It is true that every single person has an aura of his own, different from anybody else's! Amazingly, it can either attract you to it the way a butterfly is attracted to light, or drive you miles away; filling you with an eerie sense of disaffection, which you repeatedly fail to analyze or understand!

Yet again, there are those few personalities who fill you with pure wonder, to the extent that you feel undecided whether it is liking or dislike you feel for them! strangely though, you begin to ask yourself endless questions about their true nature and that clear inner reflection of their soul, once they drop their mask of aloofness and indifference. Deep down, you know their is a depth to them they choose not to show, which they expertly disguise, making it even more frustrating for you to understand the identity of what really lies behind that unfathomable appearance!!

And so you remain in a state of puzzlement, not knowing why you are so curious to unveil the truth about who those people truly are!! And no matter how much of an expert you are at reading people's minds by looking into their eyes, some remain immune to your expertise!!

Thus, you just feel as though you were going against a brick wall over and over again! Eventually, you shun away, opting to let time reveal the mystery for you!

Sometimes it does happen, and sometimes not! I guess it is just laws of attraction, as some may put it!!

A time to say goodbye!

It is never easy to say goodbye, to part with people who have lingered in your life long enough for you to get used to their presence and cherish the times you spend with them! And it is even harder to have someone sneak out of your life smoothly and guilt-free without even waving a hand of goodbye to you!

One minute they are there at your side, smiling at you, promising you sunny days and reassuring you of always being there for you, the next minute they are gone; just as simple as that!

Genuinely, it has always striked me as baffling the way people keep hurting each other, not stopping for a second to question what they have done or weigh the amount of pain and heartache their ruthless acts must have brought upon people who have trusted them, supported them, stretched a helping hand to them at their times of need, and foremost loved them-unconditionally- without waiting for any favor in return!! But as the saying goes: (What is done cannot be undone)!

Yeah I do agree that at times it is easy to take a hurtful word back or right a minor wrong and even make it up to those you have hurt! But what about the emotional mess you have left behind? What about those loads of deep and incurable wounds you have inflicted on people whose one and only mistake was to let you into their circle of beloved ones! Unthinkable, isn't it?!!

I used to think, or even believe, that people's capacity to love and readiness to cure others by far exceeds that inclination to hurt! How nice and comfortable it is to see the outside world, with all its occupants, through the goodness that lies inside of you! I know!! Yet, sometimes it is better to break free from that dreamy and rainbow-like bubble and wake up to reality, and what a dreadful reality it could be at times! That I have certainly learned!

Now, I know that in life we are bound to come across all sorts of people, some of whom bring sunlight into our days and others excel in turning the light into utmost darkness! Though heartbreaking and devastating this could be, we can always look at the bright side of it, even though I agree that at first glance it would appear as though there is nothing but trauma and grief awaiting to engulf us and shut all hope out! But that is the way of things in real life, we learn to do some things right by making a few mistakes, and we definitely learn to appreciate the smile after shedding tears of pain!

Yes I have been hurt a thousand times, but the consolation I find in that is the fact that this is actually what has made me who I am at the present time, a strong soul willing to conquer the unconquerable!! And believe me, whenever despair threatens to break me, I remember that what does not kill me, no doubt makes me stronger!!

So, here I am today: standing tall and smilingly waving a hand of goodbye to every tear, every wound and every painful memory lurking in the recess of my mind! For now is truly the time to say goodbye to all.

A Love Letter!!!

I know how hard writing tends to be sometimes! I know it can break you to know that you have what it takes to become a good writer, yet you find yourself unable to present a coherent and graspable thought to whoever is interested in reading your words!

This has been happening to me for sometime now, and all I can say here is that this is driving me to destruction! Truth is, I have been trying to post something on my blog for days but to no avail! My mind is crowded with a hundred thoughts that long to be set free and are screaming for release, BUT nothing comes out on paper!!

However, luck has knocked on my door unexpectedly today, and for that I am truly grateful! Here is what happened:

As I sat at my desk at work early in the morning, a cup of steaming delicious tea in my hand and a number of newspapers in front of me, waiting to be read, a title grabbed my attention in the Bahrain Tribune, it said: "Love letter jigsaw takes 15 years"!!

Honestly, I do not know what it was that halted my quick monitoring of that specific page, I just felt that slight twinge of interest and curiosity in my heart, telling me stop right there, read this!! Strange how the mind reacts to certain things and therein arouses a particular reaction towards them, isn't it?! Anyways, I cast my cup aside, though normally nothing will make me do this, roused from my morning sleeplessness and dedicated all my senses to reading this piece of news! Guess what, it was about a man who spent 15 years piecing together 2,000 fragments of love letters to his late wife which she tore up when she caught someone reading them!! Can you believe this?? The guy is now 82, and he wrote 98 letters to his wife during the 7 years he spent traveling Europe as a farm worker!

That is not the end of the story though, hear this out: he began putting the pieces back together in 1993 and has just completed the laborious task, 3 years after his wife died! Not only that, he started by separating the corners and center pieces, which were more than 20 and made up more than 2,000 fragments (some smaller than a thumbnail), then progressed putting them all together by spending an hour everyday for 15 years!! Now he is finally done, and guess what? He is planning to write a book based on his letters to his late wife, Molly.

Honestly, what do you make out of that? For me, this is almost a fairy tale that rarely happens in real life! I mean, people tend to become more and more materialistic as days pass, which has left no time for emotions for some! Of course I am not generalizing here, for I still think there are men out there who would stop at nothing to make their beloved ones truly happy! But this much romance? Lucky her!

I am not a pessimist when it comes to love, not at all! Nevertheless, I find it quite hard to believe that a man like Ted Howard, our protagonist here, exists in multitude! However, I cannot be a hundred percent sure, for to me "Love" remains a dream to be realized one day; my knight in shining armor has not yet arrived! So the judgment remains to you dear reader, and I genuinely hope you have found that kind of love!

Just to make your heart thump the way mine did when I read this letter, here is part of one of Ted's letters to his Molly:

"Well, my dear, I am looking forward to seeing you again. It seems months since Sunday when I last saw you. There does not seem to be a lot more to write about, my love, so until we meet again, I send you all my love, from your ever loving sweetheart, Ted"!

So, with this glimpse of that Romeo-like love, I leave you. And believe me, if it doesn't pleasure you as much as it did me, it would at least draw a smile of wonder on your lips.

And yeah, all that morning drowsiness I suffered from just minutes ago, has seeped out of my door, leaving my heart light like a feather!

Remembrance

A muffled moan of pain,
a sound I remember

That face in anguish,
that look of innocent wonder!

So close to the truth we came,
so close to surrender!

Yet he withdrew.. Simply ran!
leaving my wound exposed and tender!

Am I to question love?
Am I to leave?
Or am I to linger?!

14 July 2008

A place like no other!

Have you ever developed an intense fondness of a particular place to the extent that any and every detail about that place appeals to you?

Well, from a quick look at the map here I bet you'd know which place I am referring to! Of course it is Italy, the country I have fallen in love with head over heels without setting foot there!

I cannot explain why it means this much to me or why I am interested in it as much! I guess I have developed this crush on this country, out of all other countries, from the books and novels that have referred to it in such a dreamy and fairytale like way that I couldn't help but fall under its spell!

I believe that warming up to certain places and even people is a streak in our nature, and it is quite inexplicable! Thus, I won't search for further explanations as to why I am madly and deeply in love with "Italy"! With its people, places, food, music, culture, language and whatever else that comes to mind and points to it!

Whenever anyone utters the word "Italy", my eyes get that dreamy & stance like look of someone who has bodily and mentally drifted somewhere else and I almost see myself sitting on a terrace overlooking the sea -with the cool breeze caressing my face-or wandering through the cozy streets of Venice at night dreaming of yet another happy day spent in the embrace of a country that I cannot but link with love! And when I conjure such images, I instantly brighten up and a silly smile forces itself upon my lips, coloring my face with that aura of happiness and content which I cannot wipe off for some time!

What is the secret behind this affection, and why Italy, I honestly do not know! What I do know is that I have been dreaming of going there since forever, but the time for this wish to become a reality hasn't arrived yet! Nevertheless, not having it fulfilled, at least in the present time, does not mean I cannot appease my hunger to inhale its fresh and magical air by enjoying whatever Italian we can get hold of here, though unlike the real thing! By that I certainly mean Italian food, heheeee. Whenever they open any Italian restaurant here, I make sure I am the first one to try it!

Tuscan, Florence, Rome, Sicily and amongst all Venice, are the places I would definitely visit once I am there, no doubt!! And let me tell you a funny thing, if you haven't yet seen the movie "Only You", rent it, make yourself a large bowl of popcorn, switch off all the lights, lie down on the most comfortable sofa you have and indulge in the most romantic and heart-stopping journey to the very core of Italy, where dreams have a totally different flavour!

And just to give you a glimpse of that romantic and fantasy- like atmosphere that the movie takes me to every time I watch it, here is the lyrics of one of the best soundtracks in the movie.

Once in a life time
Michael Bolton

Some People fill their lives,

with empty nights,

And days that slip away

Some search till the end of time,

but never find the open arms of fate

One moment comes along,

someone who's a dream to you,

All at once your dreams come true

CHORUS:

Once in a lifetime,

you find the one you really love

For now and forever,

one love that never ends,

Once in a lifetime,

when every star that lights the sky

Will shine with one reason,

leadng your heart to the one love you find,

Just once in a lifetime

Some people live their lives in compromise,

And hide their dreams away

Some never take the chance within their hands,

To claim the prize they make,

When faith is all you need,

to hold the hand of destiny,

Find the love that's meant to be

CHORUS:

If you believe in the power of love

And you believe that dreams come true

Magic will fill your heart,

when that moment comes along

Just once in a lifetime

Once in a lifetime,

when every star that lights the sky

Will shine with one reason,

leading you home to the one love you find.

Just once in a lifetime,

Just once in a lifetime

Well, I do not know whether this fantasy I have in mind about Italy is true or not! And I cannot tell whether it is just the expected outcome of the stories we come across in novels, books and movies! All I do know is that it is a dream amongst many many other dreams I have- whether they be here on the ground or written up in the stars!

Unrealistic this might be, and even child-like! But one thing I know for sure, dreams are what keep us sane, breathing, and willing to continue the journey towards the unknown! So do not ever give up a dream, no matter how stupid others think it is! Go for it and believe in it, for dreams can certainly be realized, regardless of how much time they take to be fulfilled!

So, just play "Once in a life time", remember my words and delve into one of my dreams, one of my never ending passions in life! There, you will see Italy-my dream country- from an angle you have never tried before.

Have a pleasant tour:)

To love... To live

A sigh, a tear and a tentative whimper!
We cry, we fear, we long for a forgotten laughter!

Why grieve?
Why leave?
When there is a beloved face to remember?

Why sulk?
Or lurk behind closed doors?
When that "special" someone is craving to lock his hand with yours?!

25/6/08

Never say goodbye

Day by day, countless people spontaneously pass by,
Some may leave, others stand their ground.
That we do not question; we never ask them why!
All we crave is a loving heart; a peaceful soul amongst the crowd!

There, by sheer coincidence, she entered my world,
Extended a helping hand; guiding me through the ups and downs of life!
With sincerity, warmth and friendliness, an unbeatable cord we have formed.
Standing up to hardships, intent on thriving and determined to stay alive!

To me, she is not just a passing "someone"; to me she is a cherished sister.
A face to be remembered, a name to always be favored.
The difference you have made- dear sister- remains a valuable memory forever.
So never say goodbye; for remembrance is the divine gift to be endlessly treasured.

9 October 2006

A prayer

Up there a peaceful moon is shining,
Looking glamorous and wondrously promising.
I cannot help but admire its perfection,
And pray to be immortalized in its mysterious reflection!

A Godly gift is surely what it represents,
Generous, enchanting and amazingly romantic!
The gleam, the presence, its aura; all is so immense,
Surprisingly, a dreary night has turned extremely fantastic!

Oh merciful moon, look at my face; it is glowing.
Listen to my heart, to you it is calling.
Let my prayer be quickly answered,
Let the promise be endlessly remembered!

بين نيسان وتشرين

يقول وأقول كفى

ويعود وأعود معه
ووكأنّنا بالعَوْد نبشّر الصامت والجامد
والعاجز من الأشياء من حولنا
بقرب جلاء شتاءٍ ألِفَ السبات
وما ملّه

***
نعود..
-وإنْ طال الغياب-
والياسمينُ يسبق خطوتنا
وأجراسُ الفجر قُبيل الإشراق
تردّد تراتيل سلامةِ الوصول

وتشاغب بتكرار الصدى
شوقَ ( الإفصاح الحرّ) فينا
فنُعرض عن نيّة الحديث
- ثوانٍ طوال-
ويعتري كلينا لوضوح ما
أبدينا من وجلٍ خجلٌ جليٌ
نُمسي به أطفالاً
وننسى بحضوره أنّا قد جاوزنا
العشرين من العمر

بل واثنين آخرين

***
ونصمتُ بعد

فينتصف المساء

وننسى ما حفظنا
قبلُ من أسماء
-كمَنْ تجرّد من الحذر بغتةً

وندّعي مع هكذا خسرانٍ
"ثباتاً" فُرِض علينا

كالمؤقت من الوعود

لتموت من بعده الأعذار
-أعذارنا-
وحكايا عن الغد انتهت
وما بدأناها
***
ونسأم

ويسأم قبلنا انتظارٌ
مرّ بنا فصاحبناه

إذْ اعتاد-مثلنا- الحلمَ
بخاتمةٍ للعشق تفتح للمدى الأخضر
بوّابة الربيع
ليولد "تشرينُ" من اللاشيء

ويطلّ من بعده نيسانُ
-بفتنة صبيّةٍ عشية زفافها-
فيطوي (بدائية) المعنى،
ويمحو من بعده النسيان
وما يسبقه
وما يليه

***
لكنّا نعود

راجين "فرحاً" أو "فرجاً
في الهوى قريب

فنتجاوز بلاداً
كَلَيْل الله رحبة

ونشغلُ الوقتَ بمجالسة
"الأرق العذب"..
ونصيح

"يا الله! أجميلٌ هذا السهاد؟؟
"أيتّسع لنا في التّو منام؟؟
***
هكذا نعود
"قلبي".. و"أنا"
نعود وزادنا حُلم
نعود وموطننا سفرٌ
نعود وعَوْدُنا أحمدُ

Sweet baby

 

Baby do not be scared,
I am here so grab my hand.
Bask in your freedom and fly like a bird,
My heart is yours; it is your only land.

Do not cry darling, I long to see your smile.
Hold on to your faith, fill my existence with hope.
I need your love, baby stay for a little while,
To me sing your sweet words and do not you ever stop!

We know each other far more than others,
That is our destiny.. That is our blessing.
Sweet baby you know we will always be together,
Laugh and be alive; our love is never ending.