Come along with me and enjoy the inspiration of the desert women. Read my poems, express yourself, or read others' works...The caravan is waiting, so let's sail into the heart of the warm sands.

Phoenix of Democracy

On the assassination of Benazir Bhutto

By Maha Noor Elahi

Soaring she came

In colors of life;

Green, red, fuchsia, and white

Shrouded in a vain smile…

Veiled by modest buoyancy …

To make a difference …to implant life      

In a terrain of uncertainty.

She was a phoenix of an undesired legacy;

A phoenix of democracy…

In a realm of censored minds.

Her mythical shades

Were too bright

For their coffined braids;

Instead of light,

She only steered rage.

Her wings were stained

By corruption claims;

“She’s an agent…she’s a spy…

Her cause is just a jive.”

Stereotyped motives they have devised…

Creating an alibi to take her allure.    

And so…soaring she left ….in one hue; 

Ascending red_ the color of demise.

She died embroidered with martyrs’ pride,

Scornfully believing that 

Figures of injustice survive

While legends remain alive,

And other phoenixes from ashes shall rise.

December 28^th, 2007

A Mist of Men

No one else
Could fill the space
That you've left void
A year ago ...
And here I am
Unashamed
To confess
That I'm lost
In a mist of men ...
So, let me, love,
Hate you; release my pain,
Or let me embrace
Your soul once again.

January 17, 2009

Arabian Poets Wanted!
The idea of this site was a far dream. It started when I noticed that there are many Arabian poets who write poetry in English, which is definitely not an easy task. Expressing one's self in a language other than one's mother tongue requires great command of the second language and indicates a brilliant talent. Hence, I thought that those poets deserve not only to be appreciated and respected, but to be known to the public as well. So this site is dedicated to Arabian poets who write in English to give them a chance to present their visions and creativity. Of course, non-Arabian poets are welcome as well.

What's behind the name?
If you are a non-Arabian visitor, you might be wondering who is "Wallada", and what do the other names in the site mean. Well…all the headings of the pages are named after famous Arabian women through history.
Wallada Bint Al-Mostakfi is one of the Arabian Princesses of Andalusia (the age in which Muslims ruled over Spain). She was a poetess, and encouraged the literary movement in Andalusia (or Al-Andalus). A famous poet at that time, called Ibn Zaidoun, was in love with her and wrote the most romantic poems about her.

Al-Khansa is a dauntless poetess of the seventh century, known for her eloquence and outspoken courage. She remains to this day a legend in Arabic literary annals. Her famous "lament for a brother" rings with timelessness and poignant immediacy.

Shajarat Al-Dor is an Arabian Egyptian Queen who ruled Egypt for a short while after her husband’s death. She proved that women could rule successfully through her wisdom and intelligence.

Shahrazad is the hereon of the famous tale "One Thousand Nights and One". Through her intelligence and cunning ways, she succeeded in making "Shahrayar" (the Sultan) fall in love with her and in convincing him not to kill her like the other women in the tale.

Copyrights:
All poems under the headings "Al-Khansa's Griefs", "The Darkness of my Soul", "Shahrazad's Vision", "Shajart Al-Dor", "Arabian Nights", "Letters of Love", and "From my Oasis" are my original work. If you like some of my poems and want to quote from them, you are welcomed to do so after you send me an email to take my permission. You must mention all information about you in the email, the title of the poem, where do you want to publish it, and for which reasons you wish to quote it. Under all circumstances, you should refer to my name and the site's name with the poem.
Same guidelines apply in case you want to quote from other poets on this site.
Rest assured, all copyrights are reserved to the authors of the submitted poems. Nevertheless, I am not responsible if a visitor quotes from your poems without your permission.

Editor's Choice Award  for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry  October 2002

Several Poems have reached the semi-finalist in the poetry contests held by poetry.com

"Unexpectedly Shattered" has been published in a poetry compilation by International Library of Poetry. The book is entitled "Chasing Revelations" 2002

"After the War" Supreme Poem of the Month 12/22/2003 at Writer Designs~ A Tapestry of Art Community/ ezboard.com 2003

http://p210.ezboard.com/fscope71241frm49.showMessage?topicID=124.topic

"Remnants of A Woman" Poem of the Week 6/13-6/21/2003 at Writer Designs~ A Tapestry of Art Community/ ezboard.com 2003

http://p210.ezboard.com/fscope71241frm49.showMessage?topicID=89.topic

"Reconsiderations" Poem of the Week 6/23-6/29/2003 at Writer Designs~ A Tapestry of Art Community/ ezboard.com 2003

http://p210.ezboard.com/fscope71241frm49.showMessage?topicID=95.topic

"Waiting for A Revival" Poetic Vision Award at Dream Land/ezboard.com 2004

"The Harp of Morning" Poem of the Day 3/2/2004 at Dream Land/ezboard.com

"Eye for an Eye" Poem of the Day 6/3/2004 at Dream Land/ezboard.com

"Unexpectedly Shattered" First Place at acandleinthewindow.com/Outstanding Hall of Fame August 2002

"Respect Waste" First Place at acandleinthewindow.com/Outstanding Hall of Fame September 2002

"Reconsiderations" Second Place at acandleinthewindow.com/Outstanding Hall of Fame November 2002

"Because You Understand" Second Place at acandleinthewindow.com/Outstanding Hall of Fame February 2003

"One Peaceful Night" and "Respect Waste" have been published in a poetry compilation by midnightedition.com. The book is entitled "Muse Whispers vol. II" 2003

"The Child Inside" Poem of  the Day 17/3/2004 at Dream Land/ezboard.com

Favorite Links:

www.midnightedition.com

http://last-drops.maktoobblog.com/

http://www.akashawebdesign.com/darc/index.php

www.poetry.com

www.arcanumcafe.com

www.art.com

 http://pub13.ezboard.com/bdreamland7540