I am From

I am from cascading sand dunes, That hug each other like long-lost lovers I am from warm summer nights             The piercing sun, the land it covers I am from bright full moons,             That pierces the night I am from the wolves full-hearted cries,             That is heard far and wide   I am from the sweet aroma of mangoes,             That fills all empty spaces of the air I am from the cool summer breeze,             That freely moves from here to there I am from busy market places             Filled with people on the go I am from rich green trees             That sway to and from   I am from a land of warring tribes,             That cut our nation into pieces like a sword I am from a land of losing lives             No one can save us now but our lord I am from chaos and uncertainty             That blocks our narrow road to life I am from the cheerful song of birds             Which now have all seemed to die   I am from a land of a gaunt population             Oh, the horror to the eyes! I am from a land of marauding gunmen             Like a parade of elephants, moving in a pack, with cool sufficient strides I am from an unstable nation             That seems to be tilting more From a country of war and no stable foundation             One that can no longer endure   I am from the land of milk and honey             Oh, how sweet it used to be I am from the horn of land by the sea I am from a war-torn country Wind carrying around the last bits of debris   I am from children scared in their homes They stay in there for shelter I am from death knocking on front doors And being welcomed with an answer   I am from brother torn from brother I am from blood spilled on the streets Like a substance no more valuable Then the salty waters of the sea   I am from a land where the trees whistle softly And the ground tells stories Of when it’s people were living in bliss And there was no such mourning   I am from the mother land I am from the milk of the camel, The whistle of the wind, The heat of the sun….   All of this is where I’m from.

 

Insight

Identity is three-pronged; the first part is knowing where you are from to learn from the past.  The second is knowing where you are, in order to prosper. The third is knowing where you are going in order to work toward your goals.  I’ve found that in order to know who you are and who you want to be, you must be able to understand these three elements of yourself.  I am a Somali youth who works hard in order to one day realize her vivid dreams. Who are you?

crying is a waste of time...and other random thoughts

Aging is inevitable--this is why I don't understand all of the "old to young magic creams" that are taking over my television set. All I want to do is watch re-runs of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and I am subjucated to see a bunch of sagging old women lift, tuck and pluck their way back to youth...um, gross?

Needless to say I hate commercials.

Watching horror movies with a bunch of loud teenagers, not fun. Watching a BAD horror movie with the snark remarks of a bunch of loud teenagers, fun.

Gum = good. Taffy = bad.

Love at first sight is a fairy tale put together by a bunch of pretty people with no talent, (besides the implied). "Personality matters" was created by a bunch of ugly people with plenty of talent, (besides the implied).

That is all...

Much love,

Bella