Ghada Shahbender Poems

Arabs gave the world Algebra
And the science of Alchemy
When Europe was in its dark ages
And Aristotle was blasphemy.
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I am saddened, in fact dismayed
For the attention that I have paid
To fellow poets who fail to perceive
That they should enlighten and not deceive.
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I no longer know me
I don't want to be
I look in the mirror
and a stranger looks back at me
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Did you ever
Run your fingers through a burning flame
To make sure that it would burn you
Run straight into a closed door
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A blank wall the ugly color of dust
Two drain pipes covered in pigeon droppings and rust
I roll down the shutters to keep Friday morning out
The humid air, the children who swear and the parents that shout.
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Loneliest moment:
Parrot screeches for attention;
The house is silent.
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She is now my best friend.
Always close to me
She's as reliable
as no one else can ever be.
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I dream of a heaven overlooking the river Nile
The Pyramids at a distance
Fishermen in rickety feluccas
A blazing September sunset
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In my search for beauty
I painted this picture of the perfect Other.
I painstakingly sketched.
I added detail, form, light and color.
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