malalai khan

Hello, fellow people!

You are probably here for more of my ravings and thoughts and silly little poems.

You see, I haven’t posted all of my poetry online. There are poems that I wrote as a kid (ranging from the age of 8 till 14). I propose to publish these in a tiny collection, ‘Poems from the Hourglass.’

When I wrote these poems originally in the notebooks, I did not mention the date which was very silly of me; instead, I used to write my age. It so happens that my silly younger self always wanted to become famous for having “talent” at such a young age. Nevertheless, I want to fulfill her wish.

Hence, I am posting these poems in a bulk collection. They are unedited and in the original form as they were written in my journals.

I hope you enjoy them.

✧─── ･｡ﾟ★: *.✦.* :★｡ﾟ･ ───✧

1. Blue (Age 8)

Blue, Blue
Everywhere blue,
It's all about you!
The sky is blue,
And the sea is too.
So drink blue,
See blue,
Love blue,
Live with blue,
Dream blue,
'Cause it's all about you!

2. Dinosaurs (Age 9-10)

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, everywhere,
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, anywhere!
50 million years ago*
Dinosaurs were on the row!

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, everywhere,
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, anywhere!
The most horrific of them all, the tyrannosaurus!
and the most enormous of them all, the brachiosaurus!

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, everywhere,
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, anywhere!
These ancient lizards died from a comet,
But I still have some of their bones in my closet!

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, everywhere,
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, anywhere!
50 million years ago*
Dinosaurs were on the row!

*It is stated now scientifically that dinosaurs lived nearly between 245 and 66 million years ago. They had already died out 50 million years ago. As a kid, I was not aware of the correct time.

3. Destiny (Age 10-11)

Hey there!
Look over here!
I want to tell you
Something that will amuse you.
Hear it
And believe in it:
If you take my hand, I'll show you
The right path your destiny goes to!
So hold my hand
to experience a wondrous land!
Full of joy and fun
That will stun
You all and me,
You will seeee!
Just take my hand
To escape reality
And live in your dreams for all eternity.
Simply take my hand to win pleasure,
In phantasy, bliss and true treasure!
So follow me as your star,
Your destiny is not that far!

4. Free Bird (Age 11-12)

I want to be a bird
So that I could fly
Over the hills
And up in the sky!
I will be so high,
Touching the heavens, so nigh!

Imagine gliding over the seas
Like a white seagull,
Or hunting from the canyons
Like a bald eagle!

I want to be a bird
So that I could fly
Over the hills
And up in the sky!
I will be so high,
Touching the heavens, so nigh!

Imagine dancing in the gardens
Like a royal peafowl,
Or stalking in the midnight
Like a nocturnal owl!

I want to be a bird
So that I could fly
Over the hills
And up in the sky!
I will be so high,
Touching the heavens, so nigh!

5. Witches (Age 11-12)

Witches, witches, witches,
Oh! Those ugly glitches.
Some are too nice
While other disgustingly having lice.
Many are devilishly old
Who desire money, gems and gold,
While hideous beauties flushed young
With icky words in their tongue.
If you ever come up with one, I give you advice
Avoid them, as they will chop you from slice to slice
With shiny cleavers and knives
That will doom everyone's lives!
So keep away from those hags
Or else they'll abduct you in their sacks and bags
To their favourite place, the caves.
Those horrid creepy knaves
Will put you in giant pot
And fire it up in one shot.
They will make into a nasty stew
Or very, very smelly brew
Of slimy, sticky broth
With greeny-yellow froth.
About the cauldron will frizz bubbles,
Reminding you of your troubles
So never do anything bad
Or do something naughty, making one sad
Or tell others snitches,
Because at the very moment, will come the witches!
Who can also disguise as peddlers
So never become meddlers!
Avoid the places where witches dwell
By reading, writing and knowing how to spell.
Children, please hear!
I am telling the truth, I swear
Witches are dangerous, beware!
Don't even think or dare
To enter their gruesome lair,
Watch out and don't do too near!
They are
NiGhTmArEs!

6. Life (Age 11-12)

Every night before I go to bed,
I hear the cried of the dead...
"Let my truth be forever hidden,
 Let my cries be never forbidden,
 Let my eyes burn for a thousand years,
 Let my tears flow down all the rivers,
 Let my anger flare through my heart,
 Let my love freeze and break apart,
 Let my life be stopped for this last breath,
 Let it be taken by the Angel of Death,"
While I went into a deep
Sleeeep.....

7. Happiness (Age 12)

Deep down my heart
I could feel it crying,
'Why didn't you give your life a new start!'
My life isn't like other lives,
Either butters or knives,
It is totally different,
Many times, it brought dissents,
But I never knew its effect,
As it was the only option left to select,
But now I see,
The truth it meant to be,
It is HAPPINESS!
No anger no sadness,
Because life is my responsibility,
This is the truth, the reality!

8. Mime (Age 12)

Once upon a time,
There was a little mime.
He would never say
A word all day.
He would play around
But made so sound.
Poor, poor little mime
Who earned only a dime
But never committed a crime,
And slept on doorsteps covered with rime.

9. Smile (Age 12)

Let my smile shine in the darkness,
Full of glistening happiness,
Brighter than the golden stars,
Brighter than the crimson Mars,
Brighter than the silver moon,
Not later or soon,
RIGHT NOW!
My rays of freedom
Will touch everyone's kingdom.
Their hearts will, at long last,
Glow with joy, without the past,
So glittering, glimmering,
So shining, shimmering,
Of hope and light.
Life shall gleam in the darkest night!

10. Night (Age 12)

Mists of darkness over the lonely mountain,
Shadows calling upon the beasts,
Forlorn clouds hide the starry sky,
Dread sleeping over the land,
Painful waters strike the grieving shores,
Trees of silence sway with fear,
Doom creeping in the eyeless night,
Nightmares lurking in the murk,
The last light fades away at sea,
Hope Lost In Life.

11. Sick (Age 12-13)

I hurt my head on Green Hill
And so I fell really ill.
When Mom warned me not to walk,
I had an intense shock.
I am very sick,
No candy, no lollipop to lick,
No doll, no ball to kick.
Just staring at the clock to tick...
Out gazing from the window
Friends playing basketball, each having a go,
While me, lying on the bed,
Like a person undead,
Rustling and rumbling,
To myself mumbling,
"Why in the dark here?
Why not out in the fresh air!
It's good for my health,
But even if I go in super stealth,
Mom would put me back to bed
And with some soup, make me fed."
So being sick is never good,
I am not talking about health;
I'm saying being bored is a waste,
TIME IS WEALTH!

12. Stars (Age 13)

Oh, stars at night!
You glitter so bright!
You give a fantastic sight!
You'll stop any war or fight.
You share enchanting light
So that I may ignite,
My heart's hope and might,
With pleasure and delight.
You guide me to the positive and right.
All those revolving satellites
Around you, passing by meteorites,
You are the one to provide the foresights,
With the far, incredible heights.
In short, I will say,
You illumination shows me my destiny's way!

13. Food (Age 13)

There are millions of kinds of food people eat,
Either for survival, luxury or as a treat.
The Mexican eat crispy nachos
With tortillas, tamales and tacos.
The Italian enjoy spaghetti Bolognese
Topped up with olives, sauce and cheese.
The English prefer tea and bread,
With jam, honey or butter spread.
The Indians like lentils and curry of spice
While the Chinese dine with dumplings and rice.
The Swiss and Swedish have for lunch
Cheeses and smoked salmon to munch.
Americans love soda, pizza and chips
Making everyone lick their lips.
Country people like to eat roasted cockerel
Unlike the Japanese raw sushi of mackerel.
Kebabs are what the Afghan savor
Thanks to the spicy sour flavour.
Barbeque is a delicious sight,
To fill up our tummies, our appetite!
From gruel, oatmeal to boiling brews,
From soups, cakes to vegetable stews!
Everything has a special sauce or dressing,
Which makes the dish even more refreshing.
But I don't want all that trouble for the cook,
To look through every recipe in the book.
I don't want roast or toast with marmalade
But something as easy as lemonade.
I'll just grab cookie or a toffee,
Washed down with some hot coffee.

14. New Year 2019 (Age 13)

New year 2019, welcome!
Bring us smiles for our kingdom!
With gifts of joy, love and hope,
Something nicer in the horoscope.
Fireworks spreading colourful showers,
Bursting like fiery wild flowers,
Brightening the sky in glittering light,
Making happy moments in the middle of the night!
It's hard to wait till twelve o'clock
For the fireworks give a loud shock.
So no-one can stay calm and poise;
Therefore, everyone starts the cheerful noise.
We cut the cake, make a toast,
Promising stuff that totally boast.
We wish for luck and charm
To keep us away from hatred and harm.
All the adults and children have seen
The beginning of the fabulous 2019.
With new passion, dream and desire,
Patience inside burns like wild fire.

15. Nature (Age 13/14)

I need a solution
To all of this pollution,
So dull, rotting, sluggish,
It's the ridiculous rubbish!
That makes the air stinking,
Reeking, disgusting.
It's the people who are polluting!
They should not be allowed, not even a tinge,
To enter the city's fringe!
To kill bugs is most unpleasant
Don't use that horrible repellant;
Just pick them up and take them to the trees
Where they can feel relaxed and eased.
Don't ever let the animals perish
Never terrorize, just let them cherish
The beautiful green life on Earth.
This is no joke; this is no mirth.
We are very, very troublesome
We think we are all cool and awesome.
We start a quarrel, battle or fray
After which all the debris starts to decay
Whenever we see a terrifying fight,
We get a chill of fright.
But why gaze and look at it?
Stand up to the bully and stop that racket!
Everywhere there's trash and trash
Such stupidity, such balderdash.
Now, let's come to the most important part
Which really aches my heart,
To tell the story of animals and trees
Who never got the chance to be free.
Animals were living happily in the forest
And continued to flourish.
They didn't have to work and strive
But were joyous and continued to thrive.
Before long came the wrath of the animals,
The humans, the most abnormal.
They set fire to the beautiful trees
And threw garbage in the seas.
The creatures ran in all directions to flee
From the terrifying monsters who stared in glee.
Having suffered so much pain,
The animals tried to flourish but in vain
For it was hard for then to survive
Scorching suns and wintry nights.
Deforestation is a killing spree
Of the great saint, the tree.
All countries of the world should agree
To pass the tree loving decree.
We should save, protect and nurture
The peaceful, harmonious caring nature,
And conserve all the creatures
For a humane and successful future.
So don't go in the corner and cringe,
Stand up to the bullies who make nature twinge!
But I see these as implausible
As today, making people understand is impossible.
They are too idle, too idiotic,
Their minds are shrunken, extremely toxic.
Indeed, it is very serious, very dire,
That illicit people are spreading like wild fire.
Talk of nature and they give a huff.
All they deserve is a huge cuff
For crossing the line of humanity's order.
Are they ill? Do they have a disorder?
For turning the world into a junk bin,
Mother Nature shall never forgive this sin.

16. A Whisper (Age 13/14)

A hollow
willow
tree
once whispered
to me,
"Can you really
see
your destiny?"

17. The World to Live In (Age 13/14)

Why has God made this world to dwell?
Why has God made Hell?
Why has God made Heaven?
Why has God made Satan?
I don't know the answers to these.
If they are answered, only then I can come at ease.
The people forbid them to be asked,
but the truth shall one day be unmasked.
It is secretly concealed,
It has to be revealed.

18. End of Light (Age 13/14)

A world without colour
Would be so much duller.
To sadness it shall fall prey...
The sea would be black, the sky grey,
Everything will live through gloom,
In tears of agony, pain and doom...
Hope shall fade,
Conquered by shade.
It will be light's demise,
Because darkness shall rise.

19. Nightmares (Age 14)

Nightmares come,
Swiftly galloping,
Into the night,
In the silence,
Searching...
Running through shadows,
Lurking in corners,
Waiting for a call...
A storm of fears!
A storm of tears!
And they creep, 
Into your sleep,
Into darkness deep...

20. Loner (Age 14)

What is the good
Of having them as friends,
When their minds are narrow
For any imagination and dream to fill.
What is the good
Of having them as friends,
When their hearts are shards 
Of hate, arrogance and spite.
What is the good
Of having them as friends,
When their hands are filthy
From dishonesty and lies.
A loner 
I become
avoiding them,
but for the better.

21. Earthquake (Age 14)

The cutlery is clattering,
The windows are shattering,
Bed starts to quiver,
I start to shiver,
The ground shakes,
IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!
Loudly I shout,
Up and about,
I get out of my bed,
Dizzy in the head,
I go screaming!
Was I dreaming?
I run outside,
And all my fears die,
Mum: "What's all that racket!
Where's your jacket?
You've made that fuss
And missed the bus!"
Well, it was just a nightmare!
It sure gave me a scare!

22. New Year 2020 (Age 14)

New year, 2020!
You gave little but took plenty,
Leaving us in tears,
The pain still sears,
I will turn a new leaf,
For the time being, avoid grief,
Which struck me dumbfounded
Leaving no joy to be astounded,
From evil I shall deviate,
Therefore, I will appreciate
If you do not make me complain,
But life has to do it again and again.
Even though it's implausible to reach bliss,
Do not push me to the brink of abyss.
Please I beg of you to alleviate
Us all from misery and motivate
The influential truth that is so obscure
To find and endure.
Having fears set aside,
Light shall be my guide.

*I wrote this poem on 1st January, 2020, when the Covid-19 wasn’t a world pandemic yet. The grief echoed in this poem was for something else.

✧─── ･｡ﾟ★: *.✦.* :★｡ﾟ･ ───✧

Dearest reader,
I thank you from the warmest wishes of my heart for coming this far.

❤