Sunday, August 18, 2013

Poet of the week: Mohamed Ahmed [Poet of The Streetz (P.o.s)]

Would you please introduce yourself to the readers?

Asalamu Caleykium, my name is Mohamed Ahmed Shiekh. I was born in Kismayo and no it's not in America.
I'm a huge fan of TNP. I reside in South Africa at the moment. I'm not familiar with interviews and stuff so sorry if my intro is not quiet professional.

When did you first start writing poetry and was there any particular incidents in your life that inspired you to write?

Well let me be honest, I didn't see it coming, I was never a fan of poetry, I only used to run into certain sayings. 
I guess hip-hop played a major role. I wrote my first official piece in 2008 thanks to Ayan. The biggest incident that i remember was my grandmother running in the streets of Kismayo barefooted, she was trying to get a hold of me and my sister. It was a scary scene, the gun sounds and everything was horrible. That's the day I chose to be part of a generation that is willing to make a change.


What does "being creative" mean to you?

Freedom! Yes that's what being creative means to me. I mean God gave everyone some sort of powers to do things and creativity is surely the greatest freedom. My point is, you have the ability to create something negative or positive which is quiet amazing if you ask me. Having the ability to inspire someone is a priceless form of freedom.


What do you try to communicate with your poetry?

I communicate with myself and a team of dreams! When I come on TNP and start reading a poem from any of the writers I see myself thru it. Poetry means the world to me, it's a communication between my heart and mind, when my heart is about to give up (KNOCK KNOCK), there comes a little courage and hope from my mind through poetry and I just keep moving on.



What do you do when you go into a dry spell of some sort or how do you write another piece when you have been away from it for some time
Do you sit and think through every word of every stanza or do you just write freely and allow the words to flow?

It's a good question, well frankly, I just go on Youtube, listen to few tracks, reflect on the world e.g
How Somalia used to be. It also depends on the subject, I don't have to think of Somalia if my plan is to make a sister smile. I ran into a lot of people telling me 'Mohammed use the ancient words or make your words way stronger, you write your poetry in ''SIMPLE WORDS''. I honestly sit there and write whatever that comes to my mind. In other words, I let the words flow.


Who are some of your favorite poets?


Definintly Black Ice!  The power and energy in his poetry is unbelievable also, he is not too mainstream. If you are a fan of Def Poetry then you know him well. Pablo Neruda is another one of my favorite poets.


What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Any word of advice for closet poets?

BE YOURSELF!!! Never let anyone dictate your vision, The power is yours. Poetry is a beautiful thing it's some sort of spiritual power, use it to heal not to hurt.

What does writing poetry do for you?

Writing poetry makes me feel like the superman that Somalia needs without the webs and the scary stuff
It's a wonderful feeling i have no words to answer this question.

Anything else you would like to share?

Everyone was born to Worship the Almighty God after that we are all given the ability to do things. Such as to move and touch things but when you depart people will remember not only your name but what you have left behind. Remain positive in order to meet greatness. The best weapon to use against those who envy you is success

Free

“ I am not home-less, I am home-free”- Collin

 I focused on the word free
 Pictured  the creatures of liberation
unchaining the chains of freedom
As their, pure whiteness
Blinded  the world
And  their seeds of knowledge
Nurtured   us
Seeds so sweet
 Men fought over

  So awed in their beauty
  I observed
  Drooled at the sight
 Of   large wings
Covered with the feathers of peace
Escaping the  package of judgment
Drowned in the old picture
Of  dirty clothes
 Worn by the worthless
 Laying  on the  edge of the street
 waiting like  Dirty clothes
 On Sunday morning  

   And as they  lowered
Their  grace to the Earth
 I  went into my pockets
  Pulled  my hands filled
  with  bread    

 While, some accepted the offer
 Others  kindly refused
 Telling me that
Enjoyment to them
Was  living on Avenues
Where street lights became night lamps
And  ears  found comfortin the  sound of honking cars

Realizing happiness
had multiple forms
Like the different bone structure
Of African women
I smiled.

“ I am not home-less, I am home-free”- Collin

Hannah Ali
Copyright © 2013

Eid Mubarak

For the sacred month that we passing I'm going to miss you
For the angels that were guiding me nice to meet you
For the chained shaytans I'm going to avoid you
For the upcoming Eid I'm going to celebrate you
For the poor that ain't got no food for days I feel you
For y'all that gives charity may God bless you
For the all muslims around the globe salaam to you
For the beloved ppl around me including my family i Love you
For my parents may Allah grant you jannatul firdaws
For y'all who wanna wish me a blessed Eid
EID MUBARAK TO YOU TOO


Abdirisak Osman
Copyright © 2013

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

I AM BLACK

I sat down today, and thought of what I am truly feeling, 
I said I am black but I felt doubt 
I said I am black but I did not say it out loud
I said I am black, but I did not have much fight in me
 You know Black Panthers shit, I didn’t have much pride in me.

I said I am black but I feel out of place, and I guess it is because I am black. I feel as if I am from a dying race.Whenever I speak about being black, why do you get nervous? I try to explain myself but you tell me stop being aggressive and when I calm down I’m sorry am I being depressive… I don’t think you understand me.. I don’t think you ever will,
We are the kings and queens from empires and castles and clans
But to you we are the unknown, the lost souls, and the drifters of the western world. Far away from home

For those UNCLE TOMS and Bounty's who want to be of the other….
Take hold of your roots because you will never be another colour! 
So take care of each other, and don’t sell out or kill your other brother! 

I look at Malcolm and Martin and say your message did not reach us,
Your message that you gave to our community did not lead us. Rosa park, stayed down so we can have our head up, I am fed up of this political mess up! 
How can we have faith in a dead system, with leaders and presidents with no hearts who give powers to men who are not from the struggle?
I shed a tear for those behind bars in courts at this moment, whose lives are in the hands of men who think they own it. I pray to GOD that we are forgiven and to those who are innocent justice is given.. 


On that note, 

I am black, and I won’t be my own barrier 
I am black and I won't be another statistic of failure
I am black, and I am aware that I have to put in more effort
I shall sweat, i shall bleed i shall suffer if i must so the next generation can walk calmly amongst others

Without worrying to be killed, harassed or abused, to be called names or to be treated any different due to the colour of their skin.
I am sorry Uncle TOM but when you walked and tried to please ‘the other’ you let your own people suffer. Instead of educating and helping them to rise, you got greedy and brain washed her, and that's when she became Miss bounty. You wanted to prove yourself but didn’t give a fuck about ‘the others’.  You told her to look normal and acceptable and so she almost killed herself every night to try and look like them.
Black is beautiful, being you is just as normal, learn to be comfortable, it’s a shame that people are scared of being comfortable and they feel uncomfortable whenever their feeling comfortable.

Your brother realized just how messed up you become, and he realized that poor bounty isn’t so strong. He stood up and taught the people how it really should be, your brother Marcus Garvey set up businesses that the world would come and see! So many people where inspired by him…
Always remember that we are incredible and everything we do is unimaginable. We should let go of our fears and give into our vision, 

Sofie Omar
Copyright © 2013