ninotaziz's Blog, page 12

Red

red river flows stillcenturies of hate lingerkingdoms embrace fall
_____________________________

For Haiku HeightsIn memory of Champa

Memory woven

The Icarus Quandary 
All my life, I play hard, write poetry with passion, love deeply. Since I was a young child, I was with a book - always. I could trace the passage of time through books I read at home, in school, while I waited for life to embrace me. I wanted to be three things – a writer, a writer, a writer at all cost

Words - a trailblazer
Going out on a limb
Flying high

For a while then, I forgot my dream. In the quest for the ordinary life, I forgot my burning desire to write, the poet and writer buried deep within a place dreams did not visit, hopes did not sing

Lost, I fell
From paradise at the tip
Of a pen

Then sparkling moments, the birth of my firstborn, finding my muse - the love of my life, me – embracing life as never before, moment upon moment leading me to this point in time

Awaken!
The writer within
Grasp your destiny

In the blanket of the bluest of nights, despair engulfs me, I know within me lies a poet of fierce nationalistic pride. Yet my country lies sleeping, unaware of the beauty of our land, our history, our people, our legends, our forest and skies. Sees only glimmering towers, eco-tours and jungle treks without understanding the turtle’s song of regret upon the waves of the ocean or the story of Onangkiu of  Gelanggui.

Tears like
Pearls escaping from
The broken necklace

I press on… for in this quest, my children’s children will continue the dream of the pomegranate – a story within each translucent seed of awareness.



Words by ninotazizCopyright 2010 © ninotaziz.
All rights reserved. _________________________________________________ 

Today, Victoria over at dVerse prompts us to look at our memories for inspiration. Here, I feature an old poem but one that I feel so strongly reflects my recollection of my life (for which I thank God for daily). And poems which recap my childhood memories too! As a writer, I often felt that  my own memories overlap with those of my ancestors. This could be due to the fact that in our family, we talk about events one hundred years ago as if they just happened yesterday. My name is ninotaziz daughter of Abang Tik, daugher of Chu Rahmah daughter of Yang Chik daughter of Bebunga, storytellers of old. And Zalina, daughter of Abdul Aziz, son of Tok Muda Salehuddin, son of Tok Awang Pekan, son of Tok Nik, son of Tok Tunggal, son of Tok Ghafur, son of Tok Haji, son of Tok Sabur, ancient warriors all.  Here are some of my  memory woven poems, written throughout my life : Ancient Storytellers   Childhood   The Island The booklover   Van Gogh Snow   New York   Yumiko The Cat and The Fiddle     The Eternal Fountain



 

Words of wisdom

While we keep putting offbringing forth what it isthat we were born to do,time sneaks up behind usand steals Tomorrow.

Sherry Blue Skyhttp://stardreamingwithsherrybluesky....

A Word From Expatriate Lifestyle

Hikayat – From the Ancient Malay Kingdoms Launches by Samantha Chin 9 Jul 2012

Hikayat – From The Ancient Malay Kingdoms is an anthology of legends from ancient Malay kingdoms.

The anthology includes familiar classics like Awang Sulong Merah Muda and Hikayat Malim Deman, which tell of the adventures of mythical princesses and ancient legends.

Written by ninotaziz, who comes from a family of storytellers, the tales are represented in both poetry and prose forms.

Hikayat – From The Ancient Malay Kingdoms was praised by Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim, who commented that “Without imagination and creativity, many of the stories will be flat, dry and unattractive. I am proud that you have taken us into another world of fantasy by stepping into some of the various stages in storytelling.”

Ninotaziz’s first novel, NAGA, will be out in August.
Tags: Life & Style  _________________________________________________________________________ I just came upon this write-up in Expatriate Lifestyle Malaysia last year. Thank you, Graham and Matt for your support!

The Rescue

the nightingalefrom france met a charming fellowfrom kent in england
they flew together on their migratory route to the sahara
and on a large boatthey spied in a gilded cagean oriental 
nightingale bursting with color
she was so charmingher voice so pure, the sweetesta gift to the king
they were in love, at once
no fear, my little birdma cherie! we will save youcried the young turks
and they searched for the keys
but the cook saw themcaught them and locked them -three nightingales now
for the king!
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for Haiku Heights and Open Link Night over at dVerse
a little bit of tomfoolery as is required this week

sometime this week, Poets United posted The Owl and The Pussycat which inspired the poem above. then came haiku heights with the theme rescue. and today OLN demands fun and frolic
 but i do feel a bit awful, haiku for me, is for deep feelings, intense emotions
profound discoveries. i just couldn't help myself.

Have I forgotten

  Have I forgottento write a poemthe really old fashionedway when nuggets of inspiration tugged at my ears Have I forgottento shape a verseout of whirling clouds of words, flitting about like butterflies Have I forgottento weave a magical storyspun by silver websof Ms. CraniaArachnidShrebbs etc etc etc  Copyright 2013 by ninotaziz. all rights reserved _________________________________ A poem written just for fun of it.       

The unknown frontier

we seek a place where perfection of prose beckons. on white parched paper the ink flows freely. prettily. each and every sentence makes perfect sense, only to you. a thought takes you places high up, real low, over the bend and beyond

somewhere beyondthat layer of thoughtwords
we seek the inner plateau where the higher conscience beckons. on the road of life, thoughts flow freely. deeply. each and every idea makes perfect sense, only to you. profound discoveries take you places high up, real low, over the bend and beyond

somewhere aroundthe bend of the riverstream of consciousness
we seek a book where small stories beckon. on a parchment, legends flow freely. enchantment. each and every folkloric magi makes perfect sense, only to you. an adventure takes you places high up, real low, over the bend and beyond

somewherecaptured in the momentsmall stones

we seek refuge where religion beckons. on wings of faith,  hope flows freely. divinely. each and every revelation makes perfect sense, only to you. compassion takes you places high up, real low, over the bend and beyond

somewhere high upmountains of hoperevelations

we seek enlightenment where poetry beckons. on each leaf, grey stone, pebbled road, words flow freely. uplifting. each and every poem makes perfect sense, only to you. a beautiful verse takes you places high up, real low, over the bend and beyond

somewhere deepbelow oceans and gut feelingsinspiration



copyright 2013 by ninotaziz. all rights reserved______________________for dVerse : creativity





Quand je suis avec vous (When I am with you)

à la brune
la lune dans mes mainsmots d'amour tombe en silencec'est ce que je ressens
quand je suis avec vous
Nuit sera bientôt ici

***

questo è quello che sento quando sono con te
al crepuscolola luna nelle mie maniparole d'amore
volano! Notte sarà presto qui...

***

Senja kembali
Purnama rinduKata kata kekasihmembelai ku
Tatkala bersama mu
Malam berlabuh di tirai

***
at dusk
the moon in my palmswings give flight to words of loveI sigh and tremble
when I am with you
night will be here soon


by ninotaziz. all rights reserved
______________________________________

For Magpietales , Haiku Heights and dVerse


A poem of longing and promise.

I dabble in French now and then since the 80s, and took Italian 101 in Canada. English, in a form I am no longer familiar with (Australian) was my first language (though Mum tells me our babysitter Mama Susanski spoke to me in Polish when I was a baby) and Malay is my mother tongue that I had to learn when I was six years old.

Haiku is great when experimenting with other languages for me.

Thank you Tess for the photo! Thank you Claudia! Thank you Fred!

Calistro Prize Presentation

Today, the Calistro Prize Presentation was held at Marmalade Cafe, Bangsar Village 2. Organised by the Calistro Secretariat, SCBWI President, Linda Tan worked tirelessly to promote and to ensure the success of the inaugural Calistro Prize awarded for children/young adult novels or books. Three cheers for Linda! It was a lovely lovely ceremony and I was especially lucky to have three very important ladies attended. Firstly, Mum - Puan Kamariah Jaafar, who ensured not only me but our WHOLE FAMILY reads and reads English books, from Tin Tin to classics. She still corrects our English (Mum edited Hikayat and NAGA) and has just finalised her own novel. Secondly, my English teacher, Mrs Khaw Choon Ean at SSP (Seri Puteri) for five years, is actively involved in SCBWI. She encouraged me to participate in this competition. When she was asked, "So, you are the one who taught Ninot to write?" Mrs Khaw humbly answered, "I taught her English. The writing she already had it in her." For the record, Mrs Khaw was the first person ever to encourage my poetry writing and also taught me life-long lessons on going the extra mile - she was my gymnastics coach and all those preparation for tournaments instilled a never-give-up attitude in me. Thirdly, Datin Vasanthi Ramachandran, my life coach and mentor rushed in between a  family wedding commitments the same day to drop by with flowers! Datin Vasanthi is the founder of Helping Hands and a well-known writer and news columnist herself. She introduced me to the world of NGO and volunteerism. I have been blessed to know her family. Of course the event was made all the more special because of the support of my family, I would never have come this far without Rudy and my daughters Iman, Inas, Irani, Ilena and Ikesha. My sister Khadijah and University bro Edy shared the day with me. And a girl couldn't ask for more to have  friends of  35 years round up their support and love. Thank you so much Aimy, Alynn, Famie, Hawa, Ita, Mas and Mummy.

Good friend Damien dropped by with his book Playing Cupid - The Art of  Brand Seduction just hot off the press. (No, it is not the book you think it is) Check it out at MPH in a about a month.

I am so glad I wrote and submitted Onangkiu to the Calistro Prize. It sure felt good to have your work recognised. It is still a manuscript for now and hopefully will hit the shelves soon! Thank you, everyone. It was a be-e-e-a-a-u-utiful day!  Dr David Kirkham, of Calistro Foundation
and Mrs Khaw Choon Ean, award winning writer Thank you Mum for everything! I wouldn't have made it this far without Rudy. 
My mentor, Datin Vasanthi, Writer and Helping Hands Founder (NGO) and daughter Trish Beautiful Inas and Iman Irani is always on the move!
 Seri Puteri SSP-82 with our favourite English teacher! 
 With Zakiah aka Mrs Yusuf Gajah and writer, Mohana Gill
(I interviewed her way back then in the Lake Club)
  Edy, long time friend and sister, Khadijah

  Reading Damien's book, hot off the press! Another Lake Club longtime friend, Damien
I actually knew Damien's parents Thank you, Calistro!

News on Onangkiu

    Dear Zalina,
Congratulations! The Calistro Prize is pleased to announced that you have won the Runner Up prize for your entry, 'Onangkiu: The Warrior Princess of Gellanggui'. 

Best Wishes,SCBWI MalaysiaSecretariat to The Calistro Prizewww.thecalistroprize.com