Thankful

I'm not one to keep a diary. But I did come across a saved conversation as I'm cleaning out an old computer. That was a very dark time. I instantly felt transported back to that very painful time, and I wonder how I endured it for that long, as I couldn't handle it for the few minutes I was reading the conversation. That pain is so real...

It made me think of others going through similar times now. If only they would know that things will turn around. If only I could have enough compassion, patience and understanding to embrace their pain and help them hold it together until things get better. Because things will get better. And you'll not want to look back except to remember that others might be in that cycle now and need you...

Be Still

Little girl, little girl don’t cry
It’s dark outside but don’t be shy
To tell me you’re scared of the dark.
I once was a little girl like you,
Afraid of the dark, not knowing who
To turn to when I’m afraid of the dark.

Be still, be still my love
The morning will come soon
The birds will be singing
The flowers will bloom
Your tears will dry when you see it, my love.

Little girl, little girl I know it’s hard
To believe me when it’s cold outside
And you can't find a warm place to go. 
Trust your little heart to give you warmth, 
To give you hope and love and strength
When your eyes look around and you’re feeling low.

Be still, be still my love
The morning will come soon
The birds will be singing
The flowers will bloom
Your tears will dry when you see it, my love.

Little girl, don’t you know you’re like a butterfly?
You’re in the cave now, you’re like a caterpillar
But soon you’ll show me wings that can fly.
Just look inside, there’s life in there
You’ll find color, music – you’ll find your wings!
You’ll find a world of your own, my butterfly! 

If you can just be still, my love
The morning will come soon
The birds will be singing
The flowers will bloom
Your tears will dry when you see it, my love.

(c) 2014 Copyright Sherien Zaki

Sweet Songbird

I’d seen it in my dreams

The songbird seemed to smile at me

She sang a chanting melody

She seemed to fly and tumble me

Like a feather in her wings

You came to me, you shook my hand

You smiled that devilish smile and said

Can I have a little piece of your heart?

And like a dreamer flying high

I gave you all of my heart

We talked a little, we laughed a lot

Like kids at play in a children’s park

I knew the spell was holding me

And so we walked from block to block

And I gave you all of my heart

The rain had turned the streets to glitter

The buildings bright with dewy weather

I felt the lights enchanting us

And so we walked from block to block

As I gave you all of my heart

And as the blackness layed upon us

I knew the time had come upon us

To say goodbye

But still we walked from block to block

And you gave me all of your heart

I’d seen you in my dreams

The songbird’s eyes brought tears to me

She sang a weeping melody

She seemed to cry in harmony

With life’s cruel disguise

(c) 2013 Copyright Sherien Zaki

Gypsy Dancer

Gypsy Dancer was one of the first ones I wrote - self-explanatory I think...

The wind blows so silent
But I can only hear her
The heart beats everything deterrent
The world revolves around her

She dances around the fire
Her eyes glowing in the flames
Black shines her hair, so devour
My heart, I go insane

The desert floats around me
I see the sun in the horizon
It burns so hot, it burns within me
She floats away, but she’s within me

You’re like an image, not real
Your body I touch, yet I cannot feel
You burn my hand, yet you’re not here
This love around me, it is not real



Copyright (c) 2013 Sherien Zaki

Earth and Fire

I don’t know what to say
Could I just say I’m sorry?
I’m just not that kind
Or could I walk away
Not miss this life of mine?

Do I let your smile
Reach deep to my heart?
Do I let you love me
When the heart yearns inside?

For a fire to keep me alive
For a wind to take me away
To a world where passion takes over
And a life I can’t throw away

Can I let you feel
What you once knew was true?
When I know I feel
That my soul longs anew?

For a fire to keep me alive
For a wind to take me away
To a world where passion takes over
And a life I can’t throw away

What I want and what I need
Is like a mountain and the sea
Can I swim and not breathe?
Could I sore but not fall deep?

Like the grains of the sand
I seep through your fingers
I fly from your hand
Like a bird that lingers
Till the wind calls its name.


Copyright (c) 2013 Sherien Zaki

Stripped

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago. I was digging through some boxes and found it, so...thought I'd share. I'll find more and post them, until my website is back up again.


STRIPPED


You watched me breathe; you watched me bloom
You watch me reach out for the moon
For all that sparkles; for all that glows
You watched me wearily as I would swoon
For life's dispensable mysteries

But now I'm stripped...

Stripped, I am no longer holding on to things that bind me
Stripped, I am made free to love again, for I was dying
Stripped, I am free to shine
Stripped, I am free to soar
Stripped, I have been made beautiful again

My feet, tied up into the ground
I reached up high but fumbled
My soul, weighed down with thoughts abound
I lost my way and crumbled

But there you were...

You broke me down; you laid me out
My pieces scattered all around
My cries were drowning out the sound
Of fear within me
Of loss around me
And I was stripped

Stripped, I no longer hate
Stripped, I no longer wait
For life to bring this world to me

For I am stronger, and I no longer
Hold on to what holds on to me
I am braver; my heart can't waiver
As long as you are beside me
I am stripped



Copyright (c) 2013 Sherien Zaki

Personal Refinement

For the last two weekends, I have been following a sermon at IBC on Jonah, the "reluctant messenger." There are still two more weekends to go, but it has been a gripping one already. Jonah, God's good prophet, is resisting God's wishes. Because God has hit a sensitive nerve with Jonah. So God deals with him, teaching him not only obedience (he is GOD after all), but also to deal with his issues. See, so often we think we're doing just fine; great even! Jonah was a prophet. He's by all traditional standards up there with the good guys. Except for this one thing. Don't ask him to do this one thing! 
If I did a broad stroke evaluation of myself, I'd consider myself "just fine." I'm not hooked on any sinful behavior. I help people where I can, I volunteer my time for others, I work hard and love my family. A-OK. Really?? What about that one person I can't stand, and therefore avoid all the time. Have I considered praying for him? What about that one nagging topic I haven't discussed with my family because it irks me too much, so I'd rather just avoid it? How angry do I get when it comes up? Have I talked it out with them to hear their side of the story? Oh and have I given away those extra washer and dryer to a family in need, or am I still holding on to my "stuff"?
It's not so hard to recognize the big issues, but the small ones are often neglected and swept under the rug, because they don't really alter your every day. But like a small leak can slowly rip into a flood, so can our small "quirks" turn into an opening for larger issues to develop. 
I often wonder "Why God are you allowing yet another test? Wasn't the last one - or four - enough already? Am I that bad that I need this lesson again??" But God keeps working on us. He keeps perfecting us. He leaves no stone uncovered. He will not allow for Satan to find an "in" to get you from. You've graduated from basic to advanced and the test has become more surgical. Be glad, you're actually doing great - so much so that God is working on the details. And you know the devil is in the details. But so is God. You're his work of art, and you are beautiful. So if you find yourself "tested," know that greatness is in the making. And that's you.