god, i need this words injected into my veins RIGHT NOW. i also started writing poems at a young age so people would notice me or think i was cool... (spoiler: it did not work) it made my dad so mad that i was writing about myself, about my experience as a woman, that i started writing more and more as a rebellion. what i'm trying to say is that poetry is whatever you want it to be: a rebellion, a confession, a hobby to pass the time. whatever, but keep writing!!! it doesn't have to be excellent, not even good. just some advice from your substack' big sis :)
omg tysm for the kind words and I’m so so happy that you could somehow resonate with it!! also yes so many people see poetry as a rebellion and it’s literally the coolest most personal yet collective thing!! tysm fen ur a gem
Your journey through the great literary works at such a young age instantly reminded me of the movie Matilda—you possess the kind of genius that doesn’t need embellishment, but rather just recognition. To consume the words of Homer, Dickinson, Plath, and the others you’ve embraced is nothing short of remarkable. It strikes me that each of these authors gifted you their immortal speech, their distilled essence, and you, in turn, have allowed it to become a part of you.
But here’s something to consider: we aren’t speaking to a Homer who wrote the Odyssey when he was 11, nor did Plath write Ariel at your age. They reached those heights of expression through years of living, observing, and suffering. So, in befriending these great minds so early, you are already navigating a space much deeper than those around you. I can only imagine the dissonance you might feel, discussing the profound depths of these poets, while others around you may still be caught up in the trivialities of adolescence.
I, too, have learned much from poetry, though my exposure has been more limited to Western classics. But it’s true that poetry has a way of shaping our internal worlds, and I’ve also found guidance in reflecting on the Quran’s chapter about poets. There’s a warning there, a reminder that poets who only revel in words without action are fools. But poetry can be, and should be, more than that—it’s a way to live with purpose, to act and embody the meanings you discover.
And this world of poetry is still waiting for you to uncover more. Beyond Homer and Dickinson, there are vast mystical realms hidden within the works of Rumi, Hafiz, Attar, and early Arabic and Turkish poets. They’ll take you on new journeys, unveiling new symbols and meanings.
The Quran itself, beyond being a sacred text, contains meters and rhythms that often feel like poetry, weaving a narrative that reflects all modes of expression. I’ve come to see that people themselves are like living prose or poems. Some of us walk through life telling stories, and some are poems waiting to be understood, living with a kind of grace that embodies the poetic.
You, my dear, are one of the latter. We are all words manifested in flesh by the divine decree, dancing on the divine tablet. Some are elegant dancers, etching patterns of a poem.
Keep writing, and keep dancing. There’s much more beauty to discover.
A beautiful and very touching piece Lilha!! 🥹 I really felt every word as I’ve gone through some things mentally myself, sending you lots of love and hugs, keep shining my love <33
This is actually insane, the way you write is so achingly personal I feel like I'm beside you. As someone who grew up being read poetry every night and then deciding I wasn't good enough for it during my teenage years, before turning 17 and going 'what the fuck is this. i need sylvia plath in my life' the narrative you've told has actually healed some poetry-starved part of me, thank you <3
hi lea,I am absolutely beyond grateful you could relate to it it means to world. I think we all have those moments, especially as teens, where we just feel that we’re good for nothing at all, but going back to sylvia is so real ahah cause we are good enough and for anything you feel there’s a poem about it!! thank you sooo much to you <33 xx
are we not all reading poetry so we sound and look better to people? also - you’re like a child prodigy, my goodness 🙆🏻♀️
yes absolutely ahah - and omg tysm you’re a literal angel???
god, i need this words injected into my veins RIGHT NOW. i also started writing poems at a young age so people would notice me or think i was cool... (spoiler: it did not work) it made my dad so mad that i was writing about myself, about my experience as a woman, that i started writing more and more as a rebellion. what i'm trying to say is that poetry is whatever you want it to be: a rebellion, a confession, a hobby to pass the time. whatever, but keep writing!!! it doesn't have to be excellent, not even good. just some advice from your substack' big sis :)
omg tysm for the kind words and I’m so so happy that you could somehow resonate with it!! also yes so many people see poetry as a rebellion and it’s literally the coolest most personal yet collective thing!! tysm fen ur a gem
Dear Lilha,
Your journey through the great literary works at such a young age instantly reminded me of the movie Matilda—you possess the kind of genius that doesn’t need embellishment, but rather just recognition. To consume the words of Homer, Dickinson, Plath, and the others you’ve embraced is nothing short of remarkable. It strikes me that each of these authors gifted you their immortal speech, their distilled essence, and you, in turn, have allowed it to become a part of you.
But here’s something to consider: we aren’t speaking to a Homer who wrote the Odyssey when he was 11, nor did Plath write Ariel at your age. They reached those heights of expression through years of living, observing, and suffering. So, in befriending these great minds so early, you are already navigating a space much deeper than those around you. I can only imagine the dissonance you might feel, discussing the profound depths of these poets, while others around you may still be caught up in the trivialities of adolescence.
I, too, have learned much from poetry, though my exposure has been more limited to Western classics. But it’s true that poetry has a way of shaping our internal worlds, and I’ve also found guidance in reflecting on the Quran’s chapter about poets. There’s a warning there, a reminder that poets who only revel in words without action are fools. But poetry can be, and should be, more than that—it’s a way to live with purpose, to act and embody the meanings you discover.
And this world of poetry is still waiting for you to uncover more. Beyond Homer and Dickinson, there are vast mystical realms hidden within the works of Rumi, Hafiz, Attar, and early Arabic and Turkish poets. They’ll take you on new journeys, unveiling new symbols and meanings.
The Quran itself, beyond being a sacred text, contains meters and rhythms that often feel like poetry, weaving a narrative that reflects all modes of expression. I’ve come to see that people themselves are like living prose or poems. Some of us walk through life telling stories, and some are poems waiting to be understood, living with a kind of grace that embodies the poetic.
You, my dear, are one of the latter. We are all words manifested in flesh by the divine decree, dancing on the divine tablet. Some are elegant dancers, etching patterns of a poem.
Keep writing, and keep dancing. There’s much more beauty to discover.
With warmth,
Abdullah
ur a star lilha
A beautiful and very touching piece Lilha!! 🥹 I really felt every word as I’ve gone through some things mentally myself, sending you lots of love and hugs, keep shining my love <33
omg you’re a literal angel!! I’m beyond glad you could somehow resonate with it and sending you lots of love and light as well, take care <33
omg I'm in love with u now this piece is incredible 😭😭😭😭 thank u for this 💞💞💞💞
thank YOU sm wow!! I literally appreciate you sooo much <33
this is absolutely gorgeous and made me feel alive omg, i’m going to go find a poetry book now
thank you sm, so glad you felt inspired 🤍
This is actually insane, the way you write is so achingly personal I feel like I'm beside you. As someone who grew up being read poetry every night and then deciding I wasn't good enough for it during my teenage years, before turning 17 and going 'what the fuck is this. i need sylvia plath in my life' the narrative you've told has actually healed some poetry-starved part of me, thank you <3
hi lea,I am absolutely beyond grateful you could relate to it it means to world. I think we all have those moments, especially as teens, where we just feel that we’re good for nothing at all, but going back to sylvia is so real ahah cause we are good enough and for anything you feel there’s a poem about it!! thank you sooo much to you <33 xx