World Poetry Day 2015: Khairani Barokka

The last poem we have for World Poetry Day is titled ‘221 x 290 cm’, written and recited by international writer, Khairani Barokka.

 

About the Poet

Khairani Barokka is a writer, poet, artist, and disability and arts (self-)advocate. Among her honuors, she was an NYU Tisch Departmental Fellow for her master’s; Emerging Writers Festival’s Inaugural International Writer-In-Residence; and Indonesia’s first Writer-In-Residence at Vermont Studio Center.

Okka is the writer/performer/producer of solo poetry/art show ‘Eve and Mary Are Having Coffee’, which premiered at Edinburgh Fringe in 2014; and is currently Artist-In-Residence at Rimbun Dahan, Malaysia.

Okka has performed and taught across Asia, the US, Australia, and Europe, and is published in anthologies and literary journals in print and online. She has just completed two full-length poetry manuscripts, ‘Pilot Light’ and ‘Oil and enamel on linen: poems’. More info can be found at: www.khairanibarokka.com.

World Poetry Day 2015: Nehal Elmeligy

The fourth poem we have for World Poetry Day is titled ‘You are Not My Mother’, written and recited by Nehal Elmeligy. It is a piece triggered by an accident where a 19-year old university student in Egypt was ran over by a bus on campus, causing her death.

 

About the Poet

Nehal Elmeligy is a TESOL teacher, freelance writer, and Fulbright Alumna. She has taught English at Berlitz and the British Council in Egypt. Her writing has appeared in the state-owned newspaper, Al Ahram Weekly, and the online news platform, Egyptian Streets.

She mainly writes feature and opinion pieces, and this in fact is the first poem she’s written since 2012. You can read her published and unpublished pieces at: onmymindelmeligy.blogspot.com

World Poetry Day 2015: Hend Hegazi

The third poem we have for World Poetry Day is titled ‘Is There Any Hope’, and is written and recited by Hend Hegazi.

 

About the Poet

Hend Hegazi was born and raised in the USA. Shortly after graduating from Smith College, she moved to Egypt, where she has been living for the past 13 years. Hend is a full-time mother of four, freelance writer, and editor. Her debut novel, Normal Calm, was published in 2014.

You can read more from Hend at: hendhegazi.wordpress.com

 

World Poetry Day 2015: Aisha Mirza

The second poem we have for World Poetry Day is titled ‘Stand Up’, written and recited by Aisha Mirza. It’s a powerful poem that touches on the topic of domestic violence.

 

About the Poet

Writing has always been Aisha’s creative outlet since childhood. For generations her family has produced artists and storytellers. Aisha has inherited her family’s love for words and has over the year’s written articles, poetry and has now turned her attention to books. Born in London, but a resident of Greater Manchester all her life, Aisha is a modest striving mother of three children. A graduate with a BSc Honours in Sociology, and currently completing an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy, she has a deep desire to dedicate her life in the service of others.

A compassionate individual she enjoys sharing her reflections of life and experiences through word, poetry and photography in the hope that others may find inspiration. Her kindness extends to all – from the very old to the very young – and as a humanitarian and activist for freedom, justice, and peace, she is compelled to reach out to those struggling and less fortunate.

You can follow Aisha’s writing at: https://www.facebook.com/AishaMirzawriter

World Poetry Day 2015: Janette Grant

The first poem we have for World Poetry Day is titled ‘I Can’t Breathe’, written and recited by Janette Grant. Inspired by the grand jury decision regarding the Michael Brown shooting in the U.S., Grant delivers a message to be heard.

 

About the Poet

Janette Grant is a revert to Islam and the owner/executive editor of Mindworks Publishing, a community based desktop publishing company offering print-on-demand services. She has authored several books and is a founding member of the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), an internationally based collaboration of Muslim women writers. Janette advocates working to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions of members of the Muslim community, and currently works as an editor at aMuslima.com.

World Poetry Day 2015

Saturday, 21st March 2015

It’s been rather quiet on the Pen Powered Mic front, especially after the cancellation of Pen Powered Mic III. The passion for the project hasn’t died out completely, but life — especially lack of time — has meant it has had to sit on the back burner for a while.

I have been continuing my work with writers and authors, and I’m pretty excited to present a selection of poetry readings pre-recorded for your attentive ears. Writers from the UK, US, North Africa, and Asia have kindly written and recorded various styles of poems for you to indulge in during World Poetry Day on Saturday, 21st March 2015.

Poems have been scheduled to appear on the blog an hour apart from 9am UK time, so be sure to not only check them out, but support the talented writers by rating their poems, leaving your thoughts, and sharing the posts with friends.

Looking forward to Saturday? So am I!

— LaYinka

Portion of Poetry: 11th of July

Hafsah is a writer and lyrical activist, and a humanitarian who writes about love, life, and social justice with everything in between. Hafsah has been writing for 15 years, and is a spoken word artist, making appearances for charity and interfaith events as well as open mics in the north of England, UK.

Hafsah gives us a portion of poetry in her piece, ’11th of July’, and will be delivering more of her work at Pen Powered Mic II.

Have you got your ticket yet?

 

Hafsah can be found blogging at: http://hafsahaneelabashir.wordpress.com/

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PPM I Performance: Voiceless

Maryam A. Sullivan – also known as Umm Juwayriyah – is an award-winning poet, playwright, and author of the first Urban Islamic Fiction book, The Size of a Mustard Seed and Hind’s Hands ~ A Story About Autism. More than just being a writer, Maryam is a certified ESL teacher, operates her own online tutoring service that specialises in creating lesson plans for homeschooling families, and is the founder and the creative director of Covered Girls Collective, a performing arts and media literacy group for immigrant Muslim girl.

Maryam’s powerfully empowering poem, ‘Voiceless’ was performed and recorded live at Pen Powered Mic I on 31 May 2014.

 

You can read more from Maryam at: ummjuwayriyah.blogspot.com

PPM I Performance: I Forgive Him

Aisha Mirza is a multi-talented writer and author of children’s book, ‘Time for Bed Zayd’, which was published in February 2014.

Born in London, but a resident of Greater Manchester all her life, Aisha is a striving mother of three children. A graduate with a BSc Honours in Sociology, and currently completing an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Aisha has a deep desire to dedicate her life in the service of others.

‘I Forgive Him’ was first performed and recorded live at Pen Powered Mic I on 31 May 2014.

 

More of Aisha’s work can be found at: www.AishaMirza.co.uk.

PPM I Performance: Help Me Love Her

Hamidah is a single mother, teacher, and freelance writer. Her poem, ‘Help Me Love Her’ came to her during a moment of quiet after a tough day with her daughter. It is a poem that many parents can identify with, highlighting the universal feeling of constant battle in order to do right by ourselves and our children.

‘Help Me Love Her’ was performed and recorded live at Pen Powered Mic I on 31 May 2014.