A Powerful Weapon

I know this isn't a poem, but it's something I felt like I wanted to say.


   They say, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." To me that phrase speaks of anything but the truth. For half of the people, if not all, living on this Earth would have been a lot happier if they were true. Words are like a knife, when you use them, you won't be able to mend the cut to perfection, no matter how much you tried. 


      People experience this type of bullying mostly during their time at school but that doesn't mean you don't observe, or go through, it again as the years go by, though. Remember walking down your school halls your first day at a new school? Remember being scared of what others thought of you, what they said behind your back or wondering if they were going to like and accept you? It is the words you shared from that day on that have made you friends or foes. For example, remember that one kid who always made you feel small, by saying things like "you're ugly", or "you aren't supposed to exist," or "you don't belong to our group"? Remember how much that hurt? If you were lucky enough not to have been a victim of a bully's words before, though I highly doubt it, then imagine it. Imagine the pain of looking at yourself in the mirror everyday, judging your appearance and attire because of other peoples' thoughts and words that clouded your own. Imagine each word being like a hand; if the words are good then the hand will reach forward and aid you or help you in many ways than one, even if it's just helping you become happier. On the other hand, if the word is mean, then the hand closes itself into a fist and punches you hard. Some people even question their heritage and feel disgraced from their origins and ancestors for the harsh way they are judged, though there is absolutely nothing they could've done to change that, and it wasn't in any way their fault. How would you feel if you were called lame and nerdy just because you're part Asian or a gangster, because of your colored skin? Or even a brat simply because of your wealth? 

  
     Now, the kind words are just as powerful, though people hardly seem to appreciate their existence until it's too late. However, when you look back at all the compliments you've gotten, can't you remember how great a feeling you got when you felt appreciated? How great a feeling it was being recognized and not ignored? Even small things like when you are called beautiful or smart can make a huge difference in a day when you’re feeling blue. Aren't words of support what keep you going on most of the time and help you follow your dreams? Whether they were from friends or family or even complete strangers, their words made you feel warm inside. That is what's important; they made you feel lighter, joyful, and found life more bearable. For without the power of these kind words, you wouldn't have realized the power of the dark ones and would've felt empty and lost. 

  
      Nowadays, people use words too carelessly and do not acknowledge them to be the powerful weapons they truly are. For words, once spoken, can never, truly, be taken back.  As Patrick Rufus had said, “Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.” So be careful what you say about others as they have powers beyond that of our own.

The Perfect Flower

A flower rises

As you walk by

It reminds you of a special person 

Still you walk away and sigh

A red cherry rose

Exploding with exotic perfume

You probably thought it was nothing

That's what I would assume

After you walked away

For a thousand miles

You stopped

It was a sign you realized

You quickly ran back

Like a leopard on a track

When you finally arrived

The flower looked blue

It's hopes were fading

As it has been waiting

But as you came closer

The flower wore a smile

As it's you it's been waiting for

All this while...

-Hana H. Barakat 

Need Directions

I sat there wondering

In front of two roads

Which way to go

Oh, which way to go

I sat there hoping

To make the right choice

For my decision 

Might change my life

I chose my decision

My decision became my choice

And I have to live by it

As I"ll never again encounter

Those same two roads

-Hana H. Barakat

Lost in a Book

Why do I feel so lonely?

Suddenly feeling I don't belong

So I do the one thing that'll help me

I leave this life behind

I float away in a sea of imagination

As I go from each page to the next

Each book

A different destination

Where finally my mind is put to rest

Leaving all worries and troubles aside

I sink in each word

In each letter

Feeling ever so care free

The world moving

But leaving me

It feels so peaceful

Leaving this world

To enter anew 

It feels so right

To escape everything I'm going through

And then it ends

And for a minute I'm put in a trance

Then I see what I have to go through once more

Everything counts

Everything's real

So instead I get another book

Sit down

And float once again in this sea.

   -Hana H. Barakat

In the Mirror

When you have something special to tell

Or a secret buried deep inside

When feelings are burning in your chest

Or tears are rolling down your eyes

Who do you go to?

Who can you trust?

Who would care to listen?

Who would give you their time?

I'll tell you who that person is

The only one who gets it all

Who'll never leave your side

And will forever understand your soul

There aren't much people 

Who care anymore

But that person will always remain

The only one who's like this

You see when you look in the mirror

   -Hana H. Barakat

Grenade

You make fun of me

I hold my pain inside

But if I hold it more

I might explode

If I confess my anger

A baby is what I am

Yet if I don't

It just shows I don't even care

Either way they'll continue 

And I'll try to stay sane

   -Hana H. Barakat

Friends

Friends

Just "friends"

Does that word still exist?

They say friends never hurt you

Well, they're who hurt you most

For that "friend" is your worst enemy inside

You tell them all your secrets

Your stories

Your thoughts

Next day they tell everyone else

But

You're still "friends"

Friends

I laugh when I say the word

For it has lost all meaning

And now lays frail and decayed

It is with deep sorrow 

That I farewell such a gift

But I guess it was never truly mine to take

And I never found the person worthy enough

To whom I should give

   -Hana H. Barakat

One Day

One day I'll hide it all in

No one would know

No one would know

They'll have nothing to hold against me

They'll never know how they hurt me

They'll never see me cry

One day 

I'll just shut them out

Where I'll be safe

From ever again feeling blue

One day 

I won't give them the key

To figure out everything 

About me

I'll always be smiling

No doubts

No worries

No regrets

One day 

I'll look strong

And who knows

Maybe I'll feel strong too

When all the gates

To my secrets and emotions are closed

And no one

Is to be able to get through

   -Hana H. Barakat

A Fallen Friendship

If you took a look at what we were

You never would've imagined what we've become

If we were once a framed photo

On the ground, ashes we will be

It hurts so much

That it'll never be the same

A friendship lost as such

Is extremely hard to regain

I act like I don't care

I act like all is forgiven

But I'll never forgot

The words you said hurt me so

And caused me pain I wish you know

Because if you don't

Then our friendship was a lie

Something that my memories would certainly deny

Do you even care a bit

That we are no longer close?

Because you clearly don't show it

Did it cause you the slightest of pain?

Cause I certainly don't know it

A fallen friendship

Is what I call it

A fallen friendship

Is what remains

Black and white memories are now the only things

That are between you and I 

And I no longer care what you say or think

You're now in the past

And there you might last

   -Hana H. Barakat

My Enemy

I feel like the whole worlds against me

Posters everywhere stating that I'm the worst enemy

Whoever hurts me most wins a grand prize

Well ain't that fortunate for you guys

Who are my friends?

Because I've lost track

You'd think they'd be noticeable

But the world don't work like that

For all you know

They are all just temporary

I feel so confused

Why can't the world be clear for once

Then comes my personality 

Two diverged in one

For one I am the enemy 

The other just mislead

For one I see a bright future

The other only rocky hills ahead

The two voices killing me

Always fighting in my head

So could it be?

No, it's not even a possibility

But maybe

Just maybe

I'm my own enemy

   -Hana H. Barakat

Death

As I write his name

I write it slow

For when he comes

Nobody knows

Peacefully or in pain

At whichever age

Death will remain

He always leaves a scar behind

In many people's hearts

That scar you will find

He causes rivers of tears

As his magic spreads

Making the living hurt

More than the dead

But still a message he teaches

To all the undead

Life goes on is what he says

He isn't someone to fear

Nor something to hate

He is a presence unclear 

Until a soul meets his final fate

   -Hana H. Barakat

My Dream

What's your dream?

I get asked a lot

But if I told you

You'd call me insane

You'd call me a child

Then walk away

You might call me ambitious

But you'll never have faith

They tell you to reach the stars

And climb the highest mountain

But in their eyes it's obvious what they mean

They are not so sincere 

But I believe there is hope

There's hope for the world

There's hope for it's people

So my dream is to make a difference

It's for everyone to engage 

It's to wake up to a sunny new day

No sickness

No violence

No hate

No war

Now I look at you

I think I see doubt in your eyes

Even though your lips might deny

I might be young

But then again

A tree grows from the tiniest of seeds

Think as you wish

Say as you please

As for my dream...hope there is

   -Hana H. Barakat

Let Me Listen

Why do my emotions hide?

When I want to see them most

Why do sometimes

Deep inside

I feel like a ghost

A bloodless soul

Who's visible to none

When all I really want 

Is to feel unified or one

Why do my feelings get silenced

When all I wanna do is hear

I wanna hear them roar

I wanna hear them scream

I want them to show

I want to know

   -Hana H. Barakat

What is Love?

Is it a word that's meant to come and go?

Should we write it patiently and slow?

Do the letters come flying by?

Or do you have to go looking under the Earth's wide sky?

Are the letters heavy from sorrow and grief?

Or light from hope, trust and belief?

Does the word knock on every door?

Or does it leave some people lying on the floor?

Does the meaning have to reverse

So we see when it's true?

Or is it really a curse

That leaves you, at the end, blue?

Should these four ledgers lead your way?

And if they do

Would they be engraved on stone?

Or will they shatter and leave you alone?

   -Hana H. Barakat

I Just Heard a Tale

I just heard a tale

That made my heart wanna cry

It's filled with blood, fire and cries

And streams rolling down thousands of eyes

It's so sad

How harsh humans can be

Sometimes

It's against humanity

I just heard a tale 

About a flier

Who reached her destination 

In a shower of fire 

I just heard a tale

About the dark

For the ones

Who were dark

Apparently your color 

Is who you are

And if you're different

You'll never reach the stars 

What if the world reversed?

What if it would reset?

Then what if you changed colors?

Would you have liked to meet torture 

The way they've met?

Would you have liked to be tested on

If you were a twin?

Or being taken away

From your family and kin?

Would you have wanted 

To be a slave?

Or see your palace

Turn into a cave?

In a world full of racism

And people who judge

There are a few whose hearts are as sweet as fudge

Who remember that they could've been in their place

Who know that racism is a disgrace 

   -Hana H. Barakat

Turns Out

Turns out

We're dating

Turns out

I like you

Turns out I did things

That I'm not yet suppose to do

Turns out

Everything's a sign

That I am yours 

Or you are mine

Turns out

That I don't know

As much about myself

As the rest of you do

   -Hana H. Barakat

We'll See

We'll see what happens

We'll see when the time is due

God gives us paths

And you must choose

Whatever happens

Whatever occurs

That was what He wrote for you

Get on the ride

It's gonna be bumpy

But if it was any smoother

You wouldn't have learned

With each bump you get stronger

With each bump you get to learn

That He is always watching

And testing your return

   -Hana H. Barakat

Looking Back

Looking back

At the memories we had

And thinking

Of how much we've grown

For some 

Time has been harsh

For others so great

For most

Pretty much the same

But thinking of you now

And how we never meet

I wish things

Would never have changed

Looking back

At how we were

I realized that now

We never even call

Is so sad how we were once inseparable 

Now suddenly detached

We once promised

That no matter what

Our friendship would always last

Looking back

And seeing our pictures

Together as one team

Now each is going solo

If you know what I mean...

   -Hana H. Barakat

Rain

Tiny, crystal little dots

Filled with solitude

But they fall together

In a big or small group

Each bringing little hope

Or maybe a tear

They're voices make me wonder

They're voices make me think

For these little drops

Can either make crops grow

Or make them sink

Even though each is one

They're still a team at the end

For like that they have so much power

They can destroy or mend

God's creations are breathtaking 

But I'm sure that you knew

But these little things

Can make a huge difference too

   -Hana H. Barakat

I'd Cry

I'd cry

But maybe your not worth it

I'd cry

But someday I'll forget

I'd cry

But I'm not even hurt

I'd cry

But I'm not that upset

If cry

But it's already over

I'd cry

But it's too late to regret

   -Hana H. Barakat

Trapped

I'm trapped

With a few escapes

 That even I

Am yet to seek

I'm trapped 

In a dark cage

Like an animal

Just under defeat

I'm trapped

Inside my head

And in

My dreams

I can't find a way

Through the mazes I have made

For every single mistake

Can haunt me for a decade

I've made quite a few

And they're after me now

Crushing me slowly

As the wind softly blew

I'm trapped

I can't even tell

How I feel

Or how anyone can help

I wish some memories 

Could just fade away

I wish I could rewind

I wish I would've learnt

I'm trapped

But one day

I hope

I'll be set free

   -Hana H. Barakat

Family

Hand in hand

They should always stay

And if it was dark

They'll show you the way

They help you fly

Till you reach the top

And no matter what

Their care for you will never stop

Some might agree

And some might not

But to me

Without family

I'm like a broken stone

Or maybe a picture

That was never fully grown

   -Hana H. Barakat

Tears

They're waiting

On the very edge

About to fall

But always find something to hold onto instead

Their patience isn't ending

Even though it should've died

As if they're eaten

Before ever being seen

Locked up

And can never be set free

They never look down

But without them

I always do

Cause they're inside me

Hidden

With all of the pain

That I need to get through  

 -Hana H. Barakat

Every time

Every time I see you

I think of her

Every time we meet

I have to cry

Every time we talk

It makes me wanna shout

To me your a stranger

That life would be easier without

And no matter what

You'll never fill her part

For she is really special

And her place is forever sacred in my heart

Every time I have to act

Like I'm actually glad 

To see that in a way

I have to treat you like family

Every time I suffer

And take a trip through memory lane

Every time I see you

The same feelings are repeated again

   -Hana H. Barakat

It's You

It's you

That I look up to

It's you

That makes me shine

It's you that keeps me going

It's you

That makes.me fly

It's you

That keeps my secrets

It's you

That I wish we're mine

   -Hana H. Barakat

I Fear

I fear going wrong

Still I feel

I never go right

If the directions are clear

I fear a trick

I never know

What I might do

That'll make people leave me

Without further ado

I fear being lonely

I fear people leaving my side

I try my best

But I always go wrong

I tell myself

Life is a test

But then I fear to fail

I know this is life

I have to go wrong

I know if  I get back up

I will be strong

But I always fear tripping

On yet another rock

Then breaking my leg

And never getting up

I try to learn

I try to heal

But I keep making

Mistakes again

   -Hana H. Barakat

Depression

I can't sleep

I can hardly breathe

My mind filled with both

Things I love and deceive

My heart is as rock

My soul is in pain

But this is life

 Not a stupid game 

I can't reset

I can't go back in time

I can't fix a heart broken

I can't change a word spoken

With a room filled with people

I still feel alone

I search deep down

But I'm just gonna drown

In a mind like my own

   -Hana H. Barakat

Mixed Emotions

I feel like crying

And I don't know why

I want to scream

As the days pass by

The drops in my eyes

Wanna be set free

But the jail's too strong

For them to be

I try my hardest

But they just won't go

These feelings are stuck

Like an inscription on a rock

I don't know what I'm feeling

It's just too hard to describe

All these mixed emotions

That I can not hide

Love, hate, frustration and more

Are some of the feelings that I try to ignore

It's like I'm trapped with no escape

Inside myself

With mostly things I hate

My life is filled with fog

That's just so hard to clear

And every time the sun will shine

It'll take a peak then disappear

   -Hana H. Barakat

Should I?

Should I cross paths?

How should I know what's wrong?

Or right?

When in both cases

I don't see much light

How should I know

Which way to go

When I want to go

Through none at all

Both are places I've visited before

None of the are tempting more

Both left me out

Both felt alone

All I'm looking for 

Is one I could call home

   -Hana H. Barakat

Invisible to the World

I can see the world

But can it see me

I can feel it's weight

Bearing me down

To do everything I can

Face every obstacle

In order to please He

I am at loss

Trying to identify 

Every road in front of me

Thinking of all the possibilities

I am small

Though my thoughts are huge

I know I can do whatever I want

For the world to know my truth

Everyone

Everyone wants to feel loved

Both,

By people on this Earth

And by God above

Everyone likes to be needed

Feeling that they'll be remembered

After fearing being forgotten

Forever

Everyone needs to know

That whatever they do

Whatever life throws

It is what's written

God always knows

So fear not the future

Don't relive your past

Focus on the present

And make everyday last

- Hana H. Barakat

Hear Me Out

Don't  tell me I don't care

It is simply not fair

Don't tell me I don't understand

For you weren't even there

You think you understand my actions

When you barely hear my words

You believe you can see through me

Through the truth, for you, is blurred

Don't tell me what to say or do

Don't tell me what to choose

For this is no longer your right

Not if you don't hear me through

So listen up

Open your mind

And may you open

Your heart too

I have my reasons for what I've done

For what I said or chose

Until I spill all I've got

Don't list any of my flaws

1. -Hana H. Barakat

The Middle Row

No one above

No one below

We'll just all gather here

On this huge middle row

No one above

No one below

Stadia as equals 

We all fight these storms

No one above

No one below

We all help each other

And, together, we'll grow

No one above 

No one below

We'll look out for each other

Wherever we go

No one above

No one below

We'll just gather here

On this huge middle row

- Hana H. Barakat

The Journey

I start to read

I start to live

A life that may be fake

But,to me, still exists

I feel the words

I breathe their air

I am them

Though it's impossible to be there

Still I relate

I investigate

I sail the ship till I reach shore

Then I feel empty

Like a part of me got shut inside

I realize then

What everyone eventually comes to realize

The fun is in playing the game itself

More than the prize

So I go on an another journey

And another

And more

And though I feel a little hollow with every end

I don't get tired of sailing

Until I reach shore

-Hana H. Barakat

Safe Haven

I wish I had someone to talk to

To tell all the things I've felt

A safe haven where worries are lost

And the real world is just pretend

Where I don't have to worry about being judged

No enemies

No haters

No rumors

Nor foes

Where a new book shall open

And the old one close

There is only one place, to me, like this

With a paper and a pen

My haven exists

    -Hana H. Barakat

You Made Me

You made me laugh

You made me cry

Sometimes...

You made me feel like I wanna die

You change your mind

Every now and then

But I'm not a puppet

I have a heart

That can be broken

From the very start

You made me weak

Like I've never been before

You made me fall

Without getting caught

Yet sometimes you made me fly

Without getting stuck

But most of all

You made me confused

And I can't stand another shock

   -Hana H. Barakat

I Don't Know

I don't know

Whether to laugh or to cry

If you're telling the truth

Or is it all a lie

If I should give you a chance

Or let you go

Please give me a sign

Because I honestly don't know

                                 -Hana H. Barakat 

I'm scared

I'm scared

Of the future

I'm scared

Of what might happen next

I'm scared

Of losing the ones I love

I'm scared

Of getting a goodnight next

But then it'll be the last

I'm scared

                            -Hana H. Barakat

Killing Me Inside

I feel so lost

I can no longer see

What's important to me

The  people that I love

Who don't feel the same way

Oh, I hate this feeling

Yet must admit

That it might be here to stay

I loved you for long

But apparently you don't see it

We're drifting away

But it's not like you care

You're killing me inside

Sadly, this feeling can't be denied

My heart feels so heavy

My tears so frail

But why would you care?

I'm nothing there

You don't even see me

Yet you don't disappear 

Thus you're killing me inside

I feel so heartbroken

I feel so sore

Like someone took me love

And threw it out the door

But why would you consider

That I might be bitter

After all you're killing me inside

It's just that you can't be forgotten

No matter how much I try

Your stuck on.my heart

And that's not a lie

I want you to say it

I wish you'd care

I want you to mean it

And that's not a dare

Cause you're killing me inside

Yet three words could heal me

So tell me that you love me

Please do

So tell me that you care

And mean it too

Tell me that I'm precious

That I'm one of a kind

Because otherwise

You're killing me inside...

                                          -Hana H. Barakat

My Inner Self

I'm always said to be worthless

I'm always said to be sad

Never happy, satisfied, nor glad

And this might be true

But only because

I believed you

I believed every word you said

So never thought positive instead

Never thought my best would be good enough

So I kept it inside and hid

I hid myself from the world

And even

From me

Just so afraid of trying 

Then not being the best I could be

But now I know

That if I let my true self go

It'll be worth the flow

I'll always walk another mile

And I won't let words make my heart rot

Because I know

That I am worth a lot

                                   

                                          - Hana H.Barakat