It’s Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim “feast of the breaking of the fast.” To all who celebrate: Eid Mubarek.
Halima Hagi-Mohamed read this poem at our online event, “an Evening With Louise K. Waakaa’igan” on April 8, in conversation with, and as a response to Louise’s poem, “This is Where.” In responding to the implied question, “Where are you from?” I love this poem for the relatable way it describes and implements what Lyricality is trying to do. We exist in order to facilitate the art of connection through poetry and song. This poem reaches out to connect strangers heart-to-heart and ends with an implied invitation to all of us, about all of our experiences: “give it a name.”
Tracy Rittmueller, Lyricality Founder/Director
Nomad
Halima Hagi-Mohamed
I’m from Kenyan refugee camps
a city of tents lying under the stars
I’m from central California
A home to raisins and pipe dreams
I’m from shaah Somali and generational poets
I’m from immigrant parents showing you tough love
The kind that only gives you compliments when you’re
No longer in the room
I’m from a nation they love to call failed
I’m from City Heights, San Diego, and a chorus of many colors
I’m from prayer mats, golden hours, and breaking generational curses
I’m from baasto & bariis and kaftan Somali
Jokes that aren’t for the faint of heart
I’m from henna stained fingertips on Eid
from basmati rice, uunsi Somali, and sharing Jinn stories late into the night
I ’m from the mourning dove
from summer days blossoming under the
California sun
Childhood leaping without a trace
Blink once and it’s already gone
I’m from wet dew on grass and many shades of shame
I’m from here and there too
Just another nomad
to give it a name.
***
Halima Hagi-Mohamed is a Somali-American writer. She was born in Nairobi, Kenya and raised in California. Her writing deals with themes of family, mental health, identity, and religion. She is the author of Amilah– the anthology and Warda Means Rose.
Graphic art in this post is by Halima’s sister, Lyricality Leadership Team Member Anisa Hagi-Mohamed.
