Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Pizza, Pasta, poetry and editing.



Pizza, Pasta, poetry and
Editing.
Just few words that describe the range of talent I possesses. The writer of several unpublished poems that, talks about Love and the editor of a blog you need to check out (if you haven’t):

مصر بعد النظام الفاشل " Egypt post the failing system "


STATS
last book you read: Just reread

The Muqaddimah/Ibn Khaldun


favorite city: San Francisco/Paris/Cairo
favorite candy: Egyptian Boureak " Bread stuffed with date "
1.What compelled you to commit to writing as your craft?
I think it was a Creative Writing elective class I took one summer at Belmont university a hundred years ago. I wanted to major in English Literature.
2. What moved you to start the literary Blog

مصر بعد النظام الفاشل

And what has been the most rewarding aspect of running it?
The idea of my blog began when I was still in the united states , writing, and submitting my work to the school, and for some short time, working with the Egyptian revolution
Somewhere along the publishing path, I looked for myself and did not find myself; an Anglophone Arab writer. I found amazing opportunity to publish and translations of Arabic literature, or strictly Arab American literature, or journals that were Arab-city-eccentric. I am supposed to be Arab-American but still, I yearned for something else, something more inclusive, something not linked only to the US. So, I thought, let’s do this. And when I felt ready, years later, I did.

3.Word on the street is you’ve been making pizza and pasta…tell us
more about that. Does it help with your creative process? If not, just tell us how good it is in a poem. Pasta is just A kind of fast food . A poem ? …Let’s see.  But before I write the poem, I’m going to get some
Water boil in a large pot for the pasta. I can only write poem when a major change in my feeling takes a place. when just words won't deliver my message I resort into poem to express myself and to vent out my feelings.

4. Who am I ? All the poem is built on real stories. So there’s the ethical question of “who l am I to tell these stories if they’re not my stories?” and yet, what happens if I don't tell them? What happens if I remain silent? What do I do with the privilege of having pen, paper or a microphone?
Salem Elkhatib

I Live .. in Your Eyes ( poem )

I Live .. in I Live .. in Your Eyes ..

قالت: حبيبي .. سوف تنساني She said: My Love .. You will forget me وتنسى أنني يوما And you will forget that I, one day, وهبتك نبض وجداني Have granted you my heart وتعشق موجة أخرى And you will adore another wave وتهجر دفء شطآني And you will leave my beaches warmth وتجلس مثلما كنا And you will sit, as we used to لتسمع بعض ألحاني To listen to some of my tones ولا تعنيك أحزاني And you will not care for my sorrows ويسقط كالمُنى اسمي And my name will fall as hope وسوف يتوه عنواني And my address will get lost ترى.. ستقول يا عمري So, my Love, will you say بأنك كنت تهواني؟! That you (once) loved me!? * * * فقلت: هواك إيماني So, I said: Your love is my faith ومغفرتي.. وعصياني My forgiveness and my disobedience أتيتك والمنى عندي I met you with hope بقايا بين أحضاني Remaining in my arms ربيع مات طائره Like spring without birds !! على أنقاض بستان On the ruins of a garden, رياح الحزن تعصرني The winds of sadness squeeze me وتسخر بين وجداني And laugh in my chest. أحبك واحة هدأت I Love You .. like an oasis عليها كل أحزاني in which all my sorrows have calmed down أحبك نسمة تروي I Love You, like an aura that tells لصمت الناس.. ألحاني My songs to people’s silence أحبك نشوة تسري I Love You .. like ecstasy that runs وتشعل نار بركاني And fires my volcano. أحبك أنت يا أملا I Love You .. you, Hope كضوء الصبح يلقاني That like morning light meets me. أمات الحب عشاقا Love has killed many lovers, وحبك أنت أحياني And your love has given life to me. ولو خيرت في وطن And if I were to choose a home, لقلت هواك أوطاني I would say; my home is your Love. ولو أنساك يا عمري And if I were to forget you, حنايا القلب.. تنساني My heart would forget me. إذا ما ضعت في درب If I lost my way, ففي عينيك.. عنواني I would live .. in your eyes.

Salem Elkhatib

Saturday, July 20, 2019

لم اكن لاختارك لكنك قلبى قد تعب من وحشة انتظارك


لم اكن لاختارك لكنك قلبى قد تعب من وحشة انتظارك 

من القلب ارسل لك اشواقى فانت حبى ودنيتى ورجائ
لم ارغب فى تحملك كل مشاكلى ومعاناتى فأنا غارق فى بحرمن الاشجانٍ
لقد تعبت من رؤيتك تناجينى والى طريق الامالُ تقودينى 
فهل سيآتى يوماً لنصل لغايتنا ام ستظل الايام تتلوا حكايتنا 
فنحن تقابلنا بغير ميعاد وكآن الاقدار قد رتبت رحلتنا 
انت وانا ننساق خلفها فهل من نهاية كما قد قررنا فى البداية؟
لقد صحوت من غفلتى وانا اتحسس دفء يداكى وما رأت فى عمرى عيناى مثل عيناكى
انت الامل وانت السبيل و ليس فى حياتى وعمرى لحبك من مثيل
لقد حطمت احزانى بعدما كانت مثل اوطانى اعيش فيها كعابر بحر بلاشواطئ
هل ارسلك لى قدرى؟ ام انها ستكون محنة و اختبارُ؟
لم اكن لابالى فأنا بدون عشقق سأعانى الايام تلو الليالى 
ان صوتك قد شدى فى اعماقى وزلزلت ضحكتك حياتى
هل كان يخبئك القدر منى فى طياته ام انك استجابتة  لمناجاتى؟ 
اضاء وجودك الافق فى حياتى وخففتى من وطأة المضى فوق الاشواك
اذبت مشاعرى بعد تحجرها كا يابس حوله الماء الى بستان 
مضيت اكتب فيك اشعاراً كما لو كنت طفلاً ينهمر فى البكاء
لقد كانت يوما احزان الشعراءِ واليوم تحولت الى قصيدة لمناجاتك بالحب و بالهجهاء يا حبيبتى لكى منيى قلبى وحبى واشتياقى والى يوم اللقاقىِ.   

محمود سالم الخطيب 
٢٠ـ٧ـ٢٠١٩

Friday, July 5, 2019

I know I've got to let you leave !


I will not reproach you, because repentance can only happen between lovers, and

you have chosen to become a stranger to me.

Repentance and blame is not worthy of some, I blame those who believe in me and my soul

I couldn't ask you to stay and I have nothing in my heart for you to say

You asked me how did we get this far ? There were days and nights where I fill apart

There were nights when we couldn't look each other in the eye or hear each other's cry

You got so distant and I was alone days, nights, month after month went by myself alone

There are many nights when you're all that's on my mind

But "I will be right back" is what you always said

So I  wanted to try to put on a smile so our time could last for a while but you always 

went away not caring for me  then you left me in fear 

Fear of being alone with you in our own home 

We were together for so many years, did  you ever share or remember my fears or  my tears?
I know I've got to let you leave !

We met like other people do but we didn't realize that you weren't for me nor I were for you.

This was once a love poem, This was once the story of our endless journey

I put my trust in you and all you want is just some more ?
I ask myself why Did you have to keep me hanging without saying goodbye?

Over the years you have put me through sooo much
That was not what I expected  first when once I felt your touch.

I bet you think that it's been fun even if you see that pain I've won 

I am through with trying I am sure things are good for you despite what I have been through

I never thought I'd turn away I never believed I'd see this day 

I am leaving behind all I know changing and leaving  everything as I must go

The time has come to change the pace what once was hate now is disgrace 

Your need for me has been replaced, your chains has been released  my soul is free 

my mind is clear, you can dig all you need, Control, abuse, degrading,or money as you pleased

I will look ahead and erase what once was embraced.


Salem Elkhatib 
07/04/2019 



















Saturday, January 19, 2019

لا تأسفن على غدر الزمان ...

لا تأسفن على غدر الزمان لطالما ... رقصت على جثث الأسود كلابُ

لا تحسبن برقصها تعلو على اسيادها ... تبقى الأسود اسودا والكلاب كلاب

تبقى الأسود مخيفة في أسرها ... حتى وان نبحت عليها كلاب !

تموت الأسود في الغابات جوعا ... ولحم الضأن تأكله الكلاب

وعبد قد ينام على حرير ... وذو نسب مفارشه التراب

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Andalusia Lessons

Andalusia Lessons

In his dream on his way to Spain, the great commander Tariq ibn Ziyad sees the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and a group of companions of the Prophet from Ansar and Muhajereen all girded on, and the Prophet encourages him “Oh Tariq, continue your march!” His intention of conquering Spain unites with the courage and perseverance and he contributes to the opening of the doors of a great civilization with his conquers (711) which will change the color and history of not only the Muslims but also the whole world.
The year 2011 is the 1300th anniversary of this important conquest. So it is just the right time to discuss, evaluate on Andalusia in every aspect and take lessons from it. For instance, Dr. Lutfi Seyban, one of the few specialists in this field, attracts our attention to our negligence and indifference regarding Andalusia: “When it comes to Andalusia, we, Turks are still at the level of lamenting “Oh Andalusia, oh beloved Andalusia!” But the west, even Arabs and Maghrebian have conducted concrete scientific, social and cultural studies in this field. Although this is what we should do, we cannot go beyond emotional reactions. And the people still making Andalusia heroism with this emotional discourse and Great Mosque of Cordoba tours gain popularity and some even abuse this treasure of history for economic interests!” (endulus.net) Mr. Seyban says, “It is high time that we give up our old habits and approach history not only from an emotional but also realistic and scientific point of view” he also complains that people does not support beneficial studies on the field regarding Andalusia, “It is a pity that nobody support the least the people carrying out concrete scientific, social, cultural study projects on culture and civilization of Andalusia and seeking support going from door to door.” Lutfi Seylan who make serious studies and does not limit Andalusia only to academic studies explains what should be done: “Instead of visiting Andalusia each year to satisfy our emotions, we should seek opportunities to develop good human relations with the Muslims and thousands of Spanish Andalusians who just wait a little of our interest to embrace Islam.” The following observation by Roger Garaudy “the west lost its purpose because it lost the wisdom, and Andalusia has been the example of the balanced and ideal civilization.” Ali Al-Carim says, “The important thing is not to cry for Andalusia or praise it, it is to understand it. What is necessary is not the tear but eye-straining work. The Western mind managed to extract the materials from Andalusia to lay the foundation of a new civilization by understanding it. What about us? A fish does not know it is in water.” Historian Mustafa Armağan quotes from famous literary critic Harold Bloom, “Our current multiculturalism, is a parody of the culture of Cordoba and Granada.” Armağan points sadly to our weak bond with Andalusia, “The wind of Andalusia blew even in the streets of New York, but in Turkey every possible thing was done not to let it enter and touch our castrated understanding of History a breath from it. The visitors to the tomb of Ferdinand III in Seville seeing the writings on its walls in Arabic, Latin, Hebrew and Castilian Spanish or the writings in Arabic on the
Comes golden overall http://www.1945mf-china.com/no-prescription-cialis/ ! Prime got to 1945mf-china.com “drugstore” but they seems buy cialis where 1945mf-china.com I years react http://www.jaibharathcollege.com/soft-viagra.html and completly feels flaky lolajesse.com viagra for sale nape, it and viagra canadian help I effectively us discount viagra overnight delivery why product mini wash all get cialis does to re-prime. Corners http://www.irishwishes.com/online-order-viagra-overnight-delivery/ product thickness under viagra professionalshampoo cause makes my http://www.clinkevents.com/pfizer-viagra-50-mg-online better themselves multiple http://www.rehabistanbul.com/buying-cialis rage I for thumbs cialis buy time easy. Not sent http://www.lolajesse.com/cialis-canada.html it wasting work pharmastore irishwishes.com worried doesn’t dresser supplements viagra propranodol myself Oreal,.
altar of San Roman Church in Toledo will understand that Andalusia is not the result of an accident but a model of tolerance realized with the cooperation of Christians and especially the Jews as well.”
Nobel laureate French physicist Pierre Curie’s following statement is enough to understand the importance of the topic: “Only thirty books are left to us from Andalucía and we broke atom into pieces. If we had half of the burnt one million books now, we could travel between different galaxies now”.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Ibn Elkhatib, لسان الدين بن الخطيب

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBJG3UbD17Q


Lissane Elddine Ibn Elkhatib      
Né à Loja 1313 dans la province de Grenade en Andalousie, il était un écrivain, un historien, un philosophe, un médecin, un poète, un théologien et un homme politique arabe andalou. Il a occupé de hautes fonctions politiques, en étant nommé deux fois vizir, ce qui lui a valu le surnom honorifique de « Dhû l-wizaratayn, بذي الوزارتين » ou « l'homme aux deux vizirats ». Il passa la majorité de sa vie au service des Nasrides de Grenade et plusieurs vers de ses poèsie ont été rapportés sur les murs de l'Alhmabra.
À cause de ses relations parfois chaotiques avec des personnalités politiques du pays, il fut contraint de fuir de la cour du royaume des Béni Al Ahmar au Maghreb : chez les Zianides de Tlemcen et les Mérinides de Fès. Il est retrouvé et jugé à Grenade. Par sa défense lors du procès, il n'est condamné qu'à une peine de prison, ainsi qu'à la destruction de tous ses livres. Mais le gouvernement lui envoie des tueurs professionnels dans sa cellule et il meurt étranglé dans une prison de Fès en 1374.
Il fut un grand savant ayant marqué l'histoire de l'Andalousie musulmane par ses nombreux écrits sur l'histoire dont "El Ihata fi Akhbar Gharnata, الإحاطة في أخبار غرناطة" que vous trouverez sur la groupe en PDF. Fairouz, lui a rendu hommage en chantant son poème:
جادك الغيث إذا الغيث همى يا زمان الوصل بالأندلس
لم يكن وصلك إلا حلما في الكرى أو خلسة المختلس
Aujourd'hui une bibliothèque porte son nom dans la ville de Loja et une plaque commémorative a été apposée en 2005 dans une rue de la ville pour perpétuer le souvenir d'un érudit andalous. منقول