Blooming Moons: 2 Poems by Areej Arif

A Helping Hand

Faith is always there

Rescuing me in lonely times

My one guiding light

Waking up on Eid morning

stays the same

There is the familiar wave of nostalgia

When you first open your eyes

And jump out of bed to shower

As always

Your new clothes are hanging

Eager to be worn

There will forever be

The arguments with your siblings

About who has to sit where in the car

Without fail

There is a last minute rush to the masjid

Everyone trying to make it to Eid prayer

But each year

All fades away as the athan begins

And we all come together

And pray

I am Areej Arif, a rising sophomore at The Seven Hills School. I play for the school tennis team,

and enjoy playing the piano as well. My masjid is the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, and I

like to participate in youth group events, as well as volunteer there. I believe it is important to

give back to the Islamic community, especially because I attended the small Islamic elementary

school attached to the masjid. Both of my parents are immigrants from Pakistan, and I am proud

to be able to be part of desi culture. I also enjoy writing and poetry. I submitted two pieces to the

Scholastic Art and Writing competition and received a silver key and honorable mention. I

believe writing is a powerful tool we can use to connect people all over the world.

Artist Statement:

I write poetry because it is a simple way to express your emotions and relate to others. It is a

beautiful form of art that I believe should be shared. Also, I think that being able to write poetry

about whatever we choose is a privilege that we should not let go to waste. I was drawn to

poetry the first time I read the book “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein. It is

enchanting how we can play with words to tell stories and share ideas.

8 November 2022