NOTORIOUS LITTLE GIRL
Her parents are always telling her
what to do next
But their discouraging misguided
advice deflects
She receives their warnings as things to
challenge and test
She hates it when anyone tells her
what to do next
Her rebellious independence she
proudly protects
Her bravery victories over
all their protests
The confidence and fearlessness in
her face reflects
How she hates it when someone tells her
what to do next
All of her character flaws she once
asked them to list
In her rebellious nature which they
wanted to fix
Then she listened and attempted to
correct her step
But she found herself trapped some place where
she didn’t fit
It happened so often that she learned
not to listen
Nor repeat her mistake when on each
past occasion
Deluded into false direction
on false pretext
She waited for someone to tell her
what to do next
•
© Aisha Abdelhamid
Dedicated to Rumi’s poem, “Bewilderment,” which you can find on Karen’s blog here. I read her post with this poem a couple of weeks ago, and it burrowed itself into my brain. Since reading it, I recognize that I didn’t become Muslim without becoming “Notorious” to everyone around me. This week’s prompts reminded me of my rebellious youth, and riding this current train of thought, I recognize that Allah created me rebellious to prepare and strengthen me for my coming transformation! Masha’ Allah! (“God does what He wants!”)
from Bewilderment, by Rumi:
…Forget safety. Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation. Be notorious…
– Rumi
;^)
Click Here for the previous submission
Submitted to the Speakeasy Grid, week #150 at yeahwrite.me – This week the prompt is the sentence, “She waited for someone to tell her what to do next,” to be used as the last line in the post, and some reference to be made to the video by Future Shorts, “The Black Hole.” I referenced the final scene of this hilarious clip, where the man is trapped in the safe. Like to learn more? Click this logo to join us:
Wow Aisha this is a wonderful poem.
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Thank you so much Ranu, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading!
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This is a gr8 poem…. loved it!
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Thank you so much! ;^)
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I like the repetition. For me, it had a little Dr. Seuss feel (and he’s awesome 🙂 ) As a parent, it’s easy to fall into over-correction. Sometimes it’s hard to just let them “be”.
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LOL I love Dr. Seuss! Some kids are a bit tougher than others, tho… parenting can be so hard for parents sometimes! ;^)
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Aisha, I love this playful take on rebellion, and divinity, and finding your true path.
Also, wow! I am honored, and touched that my *notorious* post inspired you. Thank you for really “listening.”
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Karen, it really did! I’ve been tossing this around like loose change in my pocket for some time now, it’s been really interesting!
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Lovely Aisha! I thought it was maybe about you as a read it and was glad to know I was right!
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Hahaha yup, you were right! Thanks for reading!
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I love the poem itself. It has a great rhythm, almost like a poem for a child, but then it resonates beyond itself and has such a strong, important message for parents. And then you provide that fabulous context for the poem, which gives it a whole other layer of meaning and nuance. Lovely stuff!
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Omg that really makes me feel good to hear – thank you! It was, in a funny way, a poem for a child, but that child is me… so funny we never really lose that child inside us, do we?!
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This is wonderful! The rhyming is really intelligent and the message as well. Made me think about my own parenting style, and my son’s responses.
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Thanks so much, I really appreciate your reading and commenting! I hope for your sake he’s not too ‘notorious!’
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I love the way you use the prompts here! Especially the clever use of the last line.
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Thanks Esther! I wrestled with that last line a lot before she complied – I love that you noticed! ;^)
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Great poem . I really enjoyed this.
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Wonderful way to share the progression of a child’s perspective and struggle to become and individual and authentic personailty.
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Thanks very much, that’s so perceptive!
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Lovely poem! ♥ No one wants to be told what to do, well, until you have to have someone tell you what to do so you have a clue. Nice job!
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Thanks Kathy, lol I know exactly what you mean!
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Marvelous! I love this poem. 🙂
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Beautiful poem Aisha and I could relate to it cos I was such a rebel as a child(not much has changed now,lol) 🙂
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Lol, me too… still hate for someone to tell me what to do! Thanks for reading Sweetheart!
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😀
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Wonderful poem, Aisha! And what a fabulous message about accepting who you are. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Suzanne! I really appreciate your encouragement! ;^)
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You quoted Rumi, and won my heart. All the best little girl. 🙂
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Lol, Allah bless you my brother!
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Ameen! Be Happy and Stay Blessed! 🙂
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Lovely poem Aisha! I really like this
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Thank you so much Yeshu! ;^)
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#1: I love the structure of this.
#2: I am that little girl. 🙂
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Natalie, that is so funny, you were rebellious too?! I’m really happy it spoke to you, too – thanks very much for your encouragement!
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Loved the poem!
the feel and flow
amazing 🙂
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Thanks very much!
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Aisha!; Great poem, that litle girl made me think in “Alice in wonderland”, she is curious and independant like her!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😉
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Lol, yes, I think you may be right about that comparison on a few levels! Beautiful day to you, too, Dearheart!
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