“Message from the Daughters” takes each reader on a journey of profound transformation through the lens of the divine feminine. From hardship and heartache to overcoming trauma and healing, Ayesha Hakim depicts a wide range of human emotions as a form of not only self-expression but solidarity. Our experiences, while different in various ways, unite us. This unshakable sense of unity is what ultimately instills empowerment, sisterhood, compassion, and hope. Above all, the soulful poetic outpourings within the pages of “Message from the Daughters” possess the power to “birth the sea, still the wind, direct the moon, inform the sun to rise” and awaken the spiritual warrior within.
“Message from the Daughters” takes each reader on a journey of profound transformation through the lens of the divine feminine. From hardship and heartache to overcoming trauma and healing, Ayesha Hakim depicts a wide range of human emotions as a form of not only self-expression but solidarity. Our experiences, while different in various ways, unite us. This unshakable sense of unity is what ultimately instills empowerment, sisterhood, compassion, and hope. Above all, the soulful poetic outpourings within the pages of “Message from the Daughters” possess the power to “birth the sea, still the wind, direct the moon, inform the sun to rise” and awaken the spiritual warrior within.
I came. I saw. And lo and behold! I was disappointed.
Beyond the Matrix
Mouth wrinkles and crows feet
mark the ending of
a trip thru dimensions.
Now we enter new beginnings
with tears, laughter, a
cautious abortion and then back
to the Roots in the Red Sea.
Quick journey. Now another
dairy cow feeds in the pasture.
Misunderstandings and
new beliefs, endings of sunsets and
smoke-filled chimneys of
burning flowers are our energy.
Death camps and
the desolate starting over
again act as our buffer.
Continuous life in this atmosphere
leads us to travel again.
Twinkle, twinkle, starlight,
and then dead be the stars.
Knowing and forgetting
cigar smoke and Hitchcock films
champagne in beer bottles
and laughter of mute children,
Adam and Noah and Jesus,
families and loneliness
and family again.
Stop the pain and then
start the song.
Remix it into the next
continuous beginning.
Next stop—
Earth—again.Â
Society's Disclaimer
All heads in opposition
Democrats and Republicans
Just boys playin’ cowboys and Indians Politics they be kickin’
Callin’ for a nation to—what?
Peace? Equality? Justice?
Words bouncing off echoes
And placing lies gently behind our ears—
Fabrication.
New pieces of metal—sharp and dangerous
Placed in hands of the unloved leading to Jail cells and prison walls
Stones and swords
Gangs and wars
Piercing the heart and soul of Peace
Like when stolen birds slay the twin brothers in the new city
Or prior heat melting flesh off bodies across the waters—
Provocation.
Men play the hierarchy
Disguised as prophets and such
Spewing words that are
Soothing like whispers from roots of the oak tree
The Hellbringer sings a tune
And his DNA finds you
With a sledgehammer
Innocence is taken away and replaced by everlasting questions
of—Why?—
Immorality.
Arms of the dollar get weaker and shorter
Greed’s limbs get longer and stronger
Gripping the life in the ghetto
Causing mayhem in the streets
But a guest of honor at dinner parties in the suburbs
Where they fancy themselves with talks of nothing but—
bullshit—
Insatiability.
Lies and anger and wickedness and confusion and injustice and voraciousness—
In Gods We Trust—
Fruition.Â
Giant Little Steps
Moon trips
Homelessness
Metal birds
Cancer cells
Microchips
Hungry Children
World wide web
World wide war
We've done a lot, haven't we?
A Story by a Little Girl Interpreted by a WomanÂ
While feeling the fist in her throat and witnessing fire on the bed of waters
I painted the color God on cathedral ceilings for her to gaze upon
When her dolls and will to speak were taken away
I gathered words for her to play with
Her glass was left empty
But I make it appear three-quarters full
Once, we both shouted to old drunken ears who said it would be okay
Only to be sent back to the monster’s ball
I feel nothing, but the little girl feels everything
The entire “nothing” is confused, and the “everything” is amongst the fire
Intertwined, we both fall in and out of life’s doors
The little girl is forever apprehensive
And I am weary of this endless dance with demons
And once the institution came in with microscopic lenses on their eyes
Frightening the little girl who had so much to tell
But I stepped up, feeling the little girl tremble
And said, “It’s okay now, I’ll take care of her”
You see, the little girl may be afraid,
But I will protect her at all costs
Where do we begin to unravel fears when they’re all around?
“Find the bag and move dust off the clouds,”
Whispered Angels at the Inn as they helped
Loop echoes with fine acoustics for the little girl
And with weaved hands
Prevented us both from falling into the grave
And made our room safe to wail
The little girl is asleep, and I am drained
Wondering if tomorrow we will find a way to tell our story
Knowing we will fight monsters again
Angels at the Inn help us both to keep flight in our dreams
As we rest peacefully through the night
Temporarily secure amongst the unknown shadowsÂ
Bubblegirl and Doubledutch
(for Querida—when I was little)
“Mama, can I go outside and play Doubledutch?”
Mama sleep, so now I stay away from confusion.
“Mama, can I go outside and play hopscotch?”
Mama sleep, so now I don’t throw my pebbles too far.
“Mama, can I go outside and play tag?”
Mama sleep, so now I’m never “it.”
“Mama, can I go outside and play hide-n-go-seek?”
Mama sleep, so now I hide from life.
“Mama, can I go outside; it’s sunny today?”
Mama sleep, so now I’m comfortable in the dark.
“Mama, can I go outside to breathe, goddammit?!”
Grounded, just for the thought.
I stay inside all the time now, peeking out my window,
Living in my bubble, created by Mama.Â
Message from the Daughters by Ayesha Hakim opens with punchy and powerful pieces, allowing Hakim to establish their voice swiftly. There is a bite to their words as they reflect upon the world we live in, what we have become and what we are becoming still. The first chapter writes from the perspective of looking in from the outside with a bemused criticism, setting the tone for this compendium of truth and the visceral.
Hakim then moves into exploring coming of age and trauma in Chapter 2. Admirably experimenting with structure to draw out emotion and the relatable feeling of searching for something more. 'Accepting My 'F' in Patience Lesson: 101' is absolutely superb while 'Clasping in the Storm' is a phenomenal piece to end this chapter.
And Hakim sustains this strength throughout with pieces like 'Got Love?'; an insanely good piece showcasing Hakim's cadence - melodic and sharp - as well as allusions to the Ancient Greek canon. 'Ms. Blacque Widow', too, highlights the turn into celebrating womanhood - both the pain, the ache, and the spiritual, innate power. Still, Hakim celebrates masculinity as well in 'Thank You, Boys!' with a touching tribute to her son.
What is most impressive, however, is how Hakim maintains originality across the collection. Not once did I feel this collection grow slack. Not once did I feel as if this collection was a mixture of strong work and 'not so strong' work. Instead, throughout, Hakim explores the duality of thought and experience and the uncertainty of living with a practiced hand. Their voice is reminiscent of Angelou - flitting effortlessly between musicality and storytelling. There is undeniable power in every chapter, in every piece.
Message from the Daughters is in incredible endeavour to capture the feeling of the divine in a world, in a life, so humanly complex, and it has been executed to perfection by Hakim. A truly moving and enthralling read from beginning to end, introducing you to a poetic voice I hope we will read more of in the future.