Word, like wind, cuts through you / Withers all but true you
Some great news. Two of my poems were published in the Fall issue of the Prairie Light Review.
Morning Chai won me the Budilovsky Literary Award. They asked me to recite the winning poem at the PLR release event on December 15.
Highland Park Poetry’s Jennifer Dotson interviewed me last week about my book, In The Warmth of The Shade. We talked about how it all began, @FonsVitae, publishing, 9/11, @shaykhamin, @DarulQasim and even about my good friend @ushakur :-).
And I read a few poems from the collection.
My first collection of poems was released yesterday by Fons Vitae. Alhamdulilah.
Also available on Amazon.com.
I have some great news. Renowned academic press, Fons Vitae, recently accepted my proposal for a collection of poems. The book is to be titled: In The Warmth Of the Shade
This has been in the works for almost four years now. I heard back from the amazing Virginia Gray Henry last August, and it has been steadily picking up steam ever since. We’re presently working on firming up a final draft. The super talented Sumaiyya Rahman (www.thoughtfoundrie.com) is working on the book cover – to be shared once it’s closer to its final state.
With a foreword by my friend and patron, Umar Shakur, the book will feature forty poems selected from my works. Here’s the tentative book blurb.
In the Warmth of the Shade is a collection of forty poems presented in three sections: Creator, Creation, and The Best of Creation. Some poems are stories or historical accounts, others are supplications, and still others offer a peek into the breadth and depth of the Islamic faith. These poems are composed in a variety of classical forms to honor the form and content that is characteristic of traditional academic Islam. Muslim readers will rediscover the oral Islamic tradition passed down over the generations. Others will find a gentle introduction to Muslim thinking and preoccupation.
Alhamdulillah this is finally happening. This publication wouldn’t be possible without the support of some fabulous individuals. They know who they are, and yes, I will duly acknowledge their support in print :-).
Anyway, I just wanted to share this out. I will keep posting updates as they come in.
My most recent submission to my short story series, The Gulmohur Tales.
Abdullah Rasheed stepped off the quaint cobblestone pavement and entered the coffee shop. At thirty-two, he was an attractive man with large, caring eyes, a prominent nose, and a headful of wavy brown hair. His lips blended into ruddy cheeks in an ever-present smile. A lean and muscular frame showed through the snug apparel he wore, topped by a bright orange Cashmere sweater and a tan sports jacket – attire that a certain brand of confident yuppie specializes in pulling off without even trying. [Read more…] about A Change of Heart
I participated last year – lots of fun. You’d be surprised how stiff the competition can get. Highly recommend this for anyone raring to go head-to-head with other poets.
I’ll be glad to miss it for Ramadan this year. Otherwise you will have found me there ;-).
Checkout all my micropoetry here:
https://khamuk.com/category/micropoetry/
Just released a new short story on my Channillo series The Gulmohur Tales. Excerpt below.
— — — —
Madras, India
July 1996
John Perry sucked thirstily on his straw, tilting the coconut into just the right angles to get the straw into every last pocket of sweet water.
Nectar!
Using his free hand, he wiped the sweat from his brow and grinned to see his second handkerchief surrender to complete saturation. The first one still clung to the back of his neck and began to feel like a part of him. He handed the coconut back to the vendor with a nod and a sincere “Thank you”.
The man smiled back as he lopped off the cap surrounding the mouth of the coconut and and cleaved the shell open with a single perfectly aimed strike of his machete. He handed the open halves back to John, and gestured to him to use the fibrous cap to spoon the tender white fruit out with.
John responded excitedly, transporting chunks of the sweet kernel into his mouth.
“Good?” Asif enquired as he handed the vendor his own spent coconut and waved down the offer to cut it open.
“Mmm hmm,” John responded without interrupting his snack, his face contorted in a show of pleasure that needed no explanation.
It was John’s last day in Madras. Asif had played the role of tour guide extremely well. A chauffeur by profession, he was on loan to John from a friend. Asif’s mandate had been simple. He was to show John a side of the city that only the locals saw. That was exactly what he’d done.
. . . . . . Continue Reading
Today I released my first short story series on Channillo. It runs concurrently with my poetry series.
The Gulmohur Tales
Sand In My Parfait
This is certainly helping flex those writing muscles. Whatever it takes, I suppose.
🙂
If you’re on Chanillo, do check out my recently launched poetry series here:
http://channillo.com/series/sand-in-my-parfait/
It is set up for weekly updates. I added my second poem just this morning.