On your wedding day

To my dearest cousin...




















As childhood friends, we grew up together,
Swearing to be friends forever and ever.
Sometimes we would argue and fight,
Other times we would laugh and stay up all night.
We went from playing with games and toys,
To talking and dreaming about different boys.
My thoughts and feelings to you I would confide,
Never having anything to hide.
Friends I’m sure we do remain,
Things changing, things staying the same.
To each other we still listen and share,
About each other, we will always care.
Together we've been through a lot.
Caring not what others thought.
We stood tall and held our ground.
Foundation from our mothers kept us sound.
You've given us hope in times of despair.
You do this for us because I know you care.
You make me laugh, you bring me smiles,
Even though we're separated by miles.
Your strength is an example especially to me
I look up to you, I hope you can see
You taught the family on what is family love
Believe me you’re like an angel from up above
As I turn the pages and recall each single thought,
I realize the happiness that knowing you has brought.
And when I recall these memories as I go along life's way,
I find they grow more precious with every passing day.
Now we've grown up and have left the nest.
The love we share will still be the best.
My cousin I do love you true
My thoughts will always travel back to you
For everything you are and all that you do,
I want you to know I'll do the same for you.
So, Ranzouz, as you can see;
You're very special, especially to ME! ! !

Family Martyr

"I wrote this poem after my uncle, Abdel Hamid Ghalayini, whose body was found under rubble 17 days after a devastating bomb attack that killed 17 other people including the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, was laid to rest at a massive funeral. It is dedicated to my dear cousins, Lama & Rana, whose strength shocked the Lebanese society throughout this tragedy."






I love you Ranzouzi and Lemmo...

He was walking the walk of innocence, Gently and undisturbed.
They were so many of them, their cries were left unheard.
Suddenly a blast went off, it shook the country as a whole
February 14th was the day when we lost our uncle’s soul.
The tragedy did not end here, his body we were not able to find
They were not looking for him, the truth they were trying to hide
Appeals, cries everyday looking in the tragedy’s centre
It took us 17 days to finally get a pass to enter
And when the family did hoping his body would be found
20 minutes later there he was under the rebels on the ground
Dark clouds all of a sudden covered our sight
And daylight straight after turned into night
Within the tears of many souls,
Emotions flew without control
My cousins at that moment had just realized
They have lost a father, the man who was their guide
My thoughts to my family were sent above
Everyday in my prayers, cried for our God of love
To give them the strength in these days of sorrow
For my family to have the ability to face tomorrow
For smiles to find a way through time and space,
So they would hold them in a comforting embrace,
To heal their aching soul during a dream,
While angels chase away their silent scream.
He was a martyr was all that I can say
An angel in the sky that will safeguard their day
He said goodbye and gave you guys a kiss
Now all you can do is reminisce
Never forget him, never let him leave your mind
Tell him you love him, every second, everyday, all the time...

Box of Friendship

"This poem describes what I feel it takes to make a friendship work. Everyone has their own view on this subject but I tried to put it into some perspective. When life hands us many different things, good and bad, one of the greatest gifts we receive is the love of a good friend. Yes it took a lot of efforts & compromises to make it work but at the end these people stayed around."

To my angels...




Into a box of friendship to insure that it is strong
First a layer of respect on the bottom does belong.
Then to the sides attach, in the corners where they meet,
Several anchors full of trust, devoid of all deceit.
The height of friendship can be measured by the sides of four,
So make them all a larger cut, and the box will hold much more.
Now fill it up with courtesy, honor and esteem,
Understanding, sympathy, and passion for a dream.
Add to that your honesty, emotions joy and love,
And since they’re so important, place them up above
But leave the box wide open so all can see inside,
To learn what makes a friendship work from the box you built with pride

Waoul

"This poem was inspired by my brother. Although it was really hard growing up with him, 5 years ago we started really getting along. I wrote this poem at the time when I really needed him to know what I think of him and all the love that I feel for that little angel... This guy deserves nothing but the best and I just hope I wll be able to contribute somehow to his future success... "






I wonder how he does it, holding it together the way he does.
It seems no matter how life gets out of place he puts it back the way it was.
It's always been a mystery, but I guess it must be true.
That there is nothing stronger than a brother's love when he uses brother's Glue.

Now brother's Glue is not a recipe, or that sticky stuff used in art.
But it's that special love that brother’s use to keep your life from falling apart.
It's the way he is always there to listen so you know that everything will be okay.
It's that special bonding hug he gives you to help you make it through the day.

Growing up with you waoul was really my heart's delight
Wish you were still here so that we can keep on talking all night
I would look up into your eyes and all the love I would see
How did I get so lucky, You were the brother chosen for me

There were times when we didn't see eye to eye and there were days when both of us cried.
But even so we made it through, Our friendship bro hasn't yet died.
It's your spirit…Maybe your soul
But my life without you would feel painfully old

Our love is everlasting, I just wanted you to know
That you are my special hero and wanted to tell you so.

Mommy Dearest...

"This poem was a gentle thank you to my kind and loving mother, whose warmth and love guides me on a daily basis. Every day can be a stressful experience when you have children, you can either take that out on them or live with it and face the stress after they have gone to bed. I wrote this poem thinking of my mother's love and how easy she made it on us, it was the nearest I could come to expressing my feelings to her."




Inspired by Kit McCallum


I look back on these years, to see how far I've come and grown,
I take a trip down memory lane, and what I see has shown ...
That every step I've taken, you have been there by my side ...
From infancy to adulthood, we've stood the test of time.
You cradled me and nurtured me, through all these many years;
You held me and did comfort me,through happiness and tears.
You'd pick me up when I would fall, you'd dust me off and then,
Encourage me to get back on that horse and ride again.
Your constant care and loving, and your warm inviting heart,
Has always been a treasure thatI knew would n'er depart.
If I could be "just half" the person you have been to me ...
Then you have taught me well dear mom, for in my heart I see ...
A woman whose most gentle soul, embraces me each day ...
A woman whom I dearly love, much more than words can say

Daddy's Girl...

"My dady's body gave up on January 26th, 2006 after a long struggle with cancer. I was in Dubai at that time and didn't have the chance to say my final goodbyes. I wrote this poem on my 25th birthday, exactly a year after my father had passed away... It is dedicated to anyone who had lost someone dear and never had the chance to say the things they always wanted to say. Please remember that as long as they live in your memory, they will always be close... may it comfort you..."

Give 'em a hug, a great big kiss.
Because one day, he will be greatly missed.
My daddy has gone far away from this land,
I miss his precious touch and his loving hands.
I never knew last year was the last time I’ll say
"I love you Daddy! Happy Father's Day!"
To tell him what he means, it’s always a bliss
Remember you may not have another year to tell him this!
We all have just one father and now that his life is done,
The emptiness and loss I feel makes it hard to see the sun.
He was a great man, a gift from up above
A role model by all means, a person full of love.
Left behind, the family tears, all the memories of the years
Of joy and love, a life well spent… And now to God a father's sent
I am really sorry for what you had to go through
The ongoing pain that sickness had to put on you
I used to call you, your happy voice I will never forget
Not being there for you will always be my regret
No matter what my wrongs, you offered only love
Until the day you left for your new home up above.
I know you still are with me, your love is within my heart
Though life is no longer present, our souls will never part.
This is given to you in honor of all that we did share
I just wanted you to know daddy, how much I really did care.

If Only...

"My old golf partner is gone and I havent had the chance to say a proper goodbye but I am not worried... I know you have your place guarded with the angels... May your soul rest in peace hayete.. With everything that you were passing through, you still managed to shed joy,hope light, love, blessing, care to everyone who ever met you. Halloul you were a great friend, sister, daughter, partner, and you will surely be missed. Love you... Joumana"

This poem is dedicated to you... Hope you're resting in your safe haven buddy...

If only we knew why you wouldn’t cry,
You never let us see the pain in your eye.
We never knew your time was near end,
That it was so close, that god will soon be your friend
You were quiet and kept it all inside;
showing everyone that you were enjoying the ride.
It’s been years you are living in strife
While for everyone else you were the angel who’s full of life
Your strength amazes me, your sickness you were able to hide
You made the most out of life… waited for death to reach your side
But people like you Halloul are not really dead,
They are just like good children tucked into bed,
You have left emptiness; everyone around you is in pain
waiting for that day when they will see you again,
It's happy thoughts that will get us through,
Like all the memories we shared with you.
A broken heart, Tear filled eye,
Your soul Halloul will fill the sky.
A Fathers touch, A mommy's kiss,
A grieving sister, You're greatly missed.
You were a gift from god that taught us how to live
This love of life lesson, I promise I will give
Please always know we all love you and no one can take your place;
Years may come and go but your memory will never be erased.
And now my poem will come to an end until the day we meet again,
I pray that you are now at peace… Goodbye Halloul, With Love From Jij

I love you buddy....