I was told

“Maybe you should write again” Said a pretty soul When I had given up and was feeling old The joy of writing I had long traded for a life of mental mediocrity as society had me sold

We live in a false enigma, a state of constant discontentment It is never enough, We pretend to be tough Trying to fulfill various societal metrics A sedate ‘soul selling’ act We do with tact Lure ourselves to more bad vices to keep up,

“Just keep me up, keep me up, Hollywood here ‘I’ come”

It's a great big world.

Trees being cut, Man stuck in a rut. Birds cannot strut, Man kept indoors shut. So much technology, Not enough rationality. Politicians, doctors, proctors...apparently the ones to blame. Well we are all humans and we are the cause for the shame. It's all about one's hair, As we keep polluting the air. It's all about earning more wealth, And we're too busy doing that than being wary if our loved ones are really in good health. It's all about our battle to get the most likes, While those amongst us suffer and die, yikes.

Poepella turned 1 today (actually on Tuesday, but whatevz)! People of the Earth do feel free to read some of my poetry or very little blog-posts! All on life. Can't believe it has reached its first birthday. Cannot explain how much of awe I'd been filled with a little over the last 365 days at the kind words I have got, from people I know and don't know. Thanks everyone! More people, feel free to read. Hope it's worth your time and it makes you smile! Cheers!

A little boy's story

Society's enigma, A now mankind's hysteria. Men knelt to the floor, hands cuffed and afraid cause they know they can't say no more, While masked faces of ruthless regimes who think they're doing a favour to God, gun them down, one by one, more and more. Women being raped before they are killed, Cause society has that much of ill. While governments shake hands, take refuge in the UN, the US and form a cartel of more and more dirt. While us the people are served with all the more hurt. This I pray, I sing and I cry. Stop the rape, pick up a good book, pray to God and educate one another. I promise we all can live than be without one another. To think you're doing favours to a spiritual body by killing more and more bodies of children, men, women, mother, father, sister, student, doctor, lawyer alike. There's a stern difference between loving one another and killing another. I am a child. And with wounds all over. And elders whom I cannot trust around. I still pray they may quit treating us like hounds. Big daddy organisations give face to news corporations, wash their hands and sleep in their comfy beds. While I walk around and seek refuge in whatever debris I can find new and old, no promising face for me too see, no shed for me to sleep in. Only more and more bloodshed to see. Mama and baba I know you are somewhere up and around, don't worry little Yousuf will one day make you proud.

3 seconds of silence

'Your surname?' 'Ddddias' (that is no typo, that is literally how I sometimes say/stutter out my surname). I don't know if you come from where I come from. From where I come from, it's all about being happy, proud and fortunate for who you are...where you from and what you have. Whether you suffer from a growth problem, not from a 'cool' nationality or/and have a speech impediment like moi ('me' in français). I have a stutter. Some people say/laugh I have a 'lisp', a 'stammer'...like a soup full of all kinds of problems from expired meat to hated vegetables...nonetheless I am proud, thankful to God and happy with who I am, and you should be too! Remember there are people worse off than you. Imagine being 'mute', 'deaf'...to lisp out a few 's' words, stammer a few sentences or stutter a couple of thoughts. That to them would be like the cherry on your birthday cake. And yet you're all snippety about it because people at school laugh at you? Family-friends smirk at you? You made a waiter wait for 5 additional seconds to make your order cause your mouth had to make a somersault to say 'spicy fries'? You shouldn't. I just finished 11th grade, and I remember over the years whenever I'd stand up to read in class, offer to share my intellect with a question a teacher would ask pertaining to the lesson or even try clear a doubt. There'd be people. Students. Some who are so big, tall; they work out and like folding the sleeves of their already short-sleeved school polo, and easily look around the age of 18 and enjoy correcting other teachers' and students' English when theirs were bad enough. Who would laugh at me, jibe at me and simmer me down. Truth is, I was never 'simmered' down. And by sharing this it is in no way to laugh, jibe or simmer at 'em or take revenge either. I share this for you! Acknowledge the immaturity in those people regardless of how foolishly big their muscles are, and acknowledge the blessing of speech for e.g. you are blessed with. I still remember with all smiles now, how people said and I don't care if they say now either how I sound like a 'retard', 'constipated' and that they feel 'sorry' for me in their own cocky ways. I'll tell you this son, in this present day and age even a 'retard' isn't called a 'retard', 'constipation' only occurs when you're taking a dump in the toilet (or if you are camping in a jungle, you might have to make a ditch cause toilets are scarce) and there are a million reasons for one to feel 'sorry' for another...however to be 'sorry' at how God created you? I'll leave you to measure the immaturity of them on a scale-for-the-ludicrous. Some of the greats in the world were/are not fully able. Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, Andrew De Silva (a winner of Australia's Got Talent)...therefore one must never have the delusion that he/she is unable to to do something because he/she is not as able as everyone else. Take it this way, you're limited edition, you're vvip; so never lose sight of those dreams you have in you because you are ashamed about yourself. There's nothing to be ashamed about in being short, having a speech impediment...so long you keep believing in yourself! Let me share this with you...you know by now I have a speech impediment nonetheless I always hustled every opportnity at public-speaking that came my way because I love public-speaking! And at age 16 I auditioned to become a lector at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai (my parish) and much to my surpise with an age-limit of '18 and above' I had known little of; amidst some 150+ auditionists all being well above age...I not only impressed the judges (leader of the Lectors' Ministry, Parish Priest and some special hearing person), became a lector and often read at mass. So by this I am not boasting at all. All I am saying is, if you truly want something, never feel too short to go for it by imagining how the people would react. The ones who love you will never stop you! And you don't lose, you only win. Experience counts. By believing in you, you create smiles, and raise eyebrows. Never feel too small. Never develop an ego. Keep pushing yourself and be grateful at every little bit of progress you make. Never feel full of yourself. Always remember what you have is what you've been gifted by your Creator, so don't take pride. Make the most of life! When you push yourself amidst difficulty, you show you love yourself and you spread love by doing it. You're blessed, you're unique, know the ones who really love you and keep effortlessly impressing the ones who don't. How? By being you. Salute. Big love.

Shedding light

It's past 2 in the afternoon in Dubai right now. Most of you having lunch. Just got up. Planning on going out for lunch. And there's nothing wrong w/ that. But by doing this, we must acknowledge the 'blessing' that we can! We can have our lunch. We can get up now on our comfy beds in our air conditioned rooms. We can choose to go out! It's almost like choosing to play tennis on either a clay or grass court. While there are people on the façades of life, w/ no court, net...pushed down the mars of poverty. You can have a movie marathon, watch Sri Lanka vs South Africa on the telly like me or be on the phone planning how to watch the World Cup final tomorrow. And there's nothing wrong w/ that. All I'm saying is. In whatever you do, don't fail to acknowledge the blessing at hand. And spare a thought, a prayer (that is most powerful than some giving-off-pity-in-words)...to the less-fortunate for e.g. suffering babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, adults, mothers, fathers...wherever in the world. These people find themselves in such circumstances for no fault of their own. While there are people in other parts of the world who choose to turn a 'blind-eye'; through your prayer, thought and whatever...do a little something so that these suffering lot may one day be as fortunate as you, one summer, one day. Nothing's impossible. One prayer at a time. Let's get this! Big love.

People.

I'm no adult. Under 20 with a heart and a brain like yourself and with same aspirations for change in this world, probably, like yourself. There are some things in life we cannot fathom. Nonetheless it is happening: Genocide, racism, 'backstabbing'... Many ways of 'unhappiness' getting into one's life. We all have the same number of seconds, minutes and hours. It is our call! As individuals we behold our own set of beliefs, morals, ethics..['call it whay you want']..we believe is important to better ourselves. And we keep them confined to ourselves! Why not spread and share them with other people? In the hope it'd be of help to them. Seven of mine: #1 People - you may have everything in life materialistically. Yet nothing equals to the company of another individual! Friends, family perhaps a lover, whoever...However we should never confine ourselves to the people we simply know! Smiling at a stranger (regardless of age, race or any circumstance!), befriending someone whom the top-guns of your batch seclude and even trying to cease malpractices like discrimination, spreading of rumours and etc using your voice and intellect for e.g. are all integral. People are most important! That said some come into your life for a 'reason', others: 'season'. Therefore people are at the forefront of your development as a human being. #2 Mannerisms and etiquette - offering a lady your seat (regardless of her J-Lo physique or your math teacher's grumpiness). If you have a girlfriend for instance simply branding her your 'top-priority' will not suffice. In the long-run you better show it with your friends, in public than reducing her to a 'dog-dropping' at such situations. Lastly mannerisms and etiquette aka gentleman's code can be executed in over a 100 ways perhaps and one must never have the delusion that it is IRRELEVANT. It is most relevant. Reinstills the class in a woman for a woman, and shows an elderly person you are not as 'astray' as old people may think teens to be for e.g. #3 Family and friends - we all have grand visions on how we may lead our life at some point in time. Not tomorrow, day after or this weekend. Whether a mansion in LA, a Rolls-Royce or dressing up designer 'all day erryday'; one thing we cease to keep in mind is the fact...our family and friends will only remain in our life for so long. Therefore being laden with assignments, immersed in the stockmarket, constantly thinking on the next fashion or façade...shall do no benefit when you show up at your loved one's funeral. Everyone will only live for so long, likewise your wealth and education are all transitory. So to those people in your life: "Give them your love, not your like [facebook reference]" #4 Creating smiles - everyone has certain peculiarities which we all admire. Some of my thoughts: 'Melisa is one of the smartest people I know!','Umair has always been there for me!','Ammi (my mother) always gets me' etc. Yet what's the point of banking on those thoughts than telling it to those people you love? Yes as men we may find it weird to admit we 'love' our homies. But we do, and that is that! When was the last time you told your mum, dad, brother...'I love you'? Yes maybe ages ago when you were a wee little baby. I'd say whats-app or what-ever it now! Than make a 'bloody' (that word in inverted commas is only for emphasis) long facebook post about 'em on your facebook when you find out they just died. Believe me all those 'likes' you get from other, irrelevant people then; can never equal the smile you create on your loved ones when you tell them 'I love you'...now! #5 Charity - try to involve as much 'charity' in your life as possible. You don't need to go mainstream, feed a hundred and be left in debt. Simple ways: - give away your 11th grade 'precious notes' to a 11th grader this year who would reap fruits and not rocks out of them - leaving your clothes you-wear-no-more at the Comboni's convent at St Mary's Church so that it'd be given to the poor for e.g. - the one trillion other ways. I'm sure my Muslim friends specially at this time of the Holy Season of Ramadan can relate. #6 Religion - there's no such thing as 'a bad religion'. Only 'a bad people'. No matter which faith you belong, you must learn to see the good in others! I'm a Catholic. I attend mass weekly. That said it'd be 'bull-droppings' if I said I haven't learnt anything from other faiths! Muslims have taught me the importance of respecting women when most other people insult Muslim women for covering themselves up. Do you find diamonds on the seashore? Of course not, likewise 'women' or Muslim women rather who wear a 'hijab' for e.g. show to us that they are more precious than diamonds for their husbands. Her beauty is for her lover to admire, not anyone else 'to check out'. Likewise Hinduism has filled me with all the more respect for fire and water, which we often regard so lightly. Buddhism and Hinduism alike has taught me the importance of 'meditation'. Basically in my opinion religion are abundant resources for us to better ourselves as individuals. Than stereotype, spread hate and false propaganda. #7 Adults - as youngsters regardless of how 'big' we envisage ourselves. We must learn to accept - 'adults' are more experienced than us. Their advice maybe hard to comprehend but often once you comprehend it you may learn something new. For instance throughout high-school, there were certain things my English teachers told me which I didn't pay both ears to and now I see their point. I'm sure you can relate. All these things I have shared is for your aid and mine. I persist in implementing these seven, often falter but never give up. My intentions are to spread an important message and good vibes. In a world we live in, which seems to falter by the day. If you have somethings of your own which you keep to yourself. Don't second-think sharing it with those around you with the fear they may think of you as a 'weirdo' so long your intensions are good. Or feel free to even contact me on my social media addresses (above). We all are a unique set of over a billion people. We each are all special, in our own special ways. Big love.

About GCSEs/IGCSEs - is it daunting or is it not? (A blog-post)

Well I thought of making a blog-post for those of you sitting for your board examinations either the coming year or the year after whenever...to spread a very vital message about your examinations. They are not at all daunting! Key is confidence, the first thing even a doctor would tell you when you're ill; and the perseverance obviously we all have our weaknesses and strengths in various subjects. You maybe good with numbers not so with words, good at this, not at that and while you constantly ace one, you fail the other. And the solution for survival shouldn't be to simply consider 'dropping' the subject, solutions are there, are you? Being anti-social won't help you either. In fact science would encourage you to go out with your friends every once in a while. You must be meticulous, organised and be aware of time. It's always good to be social. 'A little party never killed nobody', or even some football with your mates. Just make sure when you get back to your books even if you're studying two hours, four hours or incapable to sit in one place and study for let alone 15 mins like myself. You do it meticulously, whole-heartedly and make yourself proud once that 'study-time' is over. Obviously overdoing your parties and stuff may have its consequences. So be well aware you are entering into a highly-significant phase of examinations in your life, you've grown up quite a lot, have and build that inner drive you get from yourself by yourself to (this is just for emphasis) bloody 'achieve'. Simply downloading and printing past-papers galore 'cause your mum or dad can will not necessarily help. Be aware of the material you have, exercise it to the maximum and trust me it's sad to study for a subject - last minute say Literature and the following afternoon to discover more material you had yet neglected. And having notes, past-papers and other material on your smartphone and tab will suffice. As they are freely accessible, not at all cumbersome and mother nature will be so proud of you! If you are sitting for your exams in June '15 you don't necessarily need to study like a mad-dog, be anti-social and have sleepless nights. Start downloading your material right away, keep 'em organised and execute it in a step-by-step approach throughout summer, if you want to. You've got plenty of time! A non-renewable resource. And remember the Edexcel site did crash for me right when boards were around the corner, so it'd be advisable for yourself to have your bomb-defusal kit ready in advance and that is your pastpapers: downloaded and organised on your desk-top or wherever, and it'd be good to also have 'em on your drop-box, USB drive or somewhere else for safe-keeping. Next up you are a bloody 21st Century child! There's the youtube that's got everything, for maths www.mrbartonmaths.com helped myself a great deal and there's the 'bbc bitesize' and plenty more! You can save a lot of time, prevent so much of fatigue that you could've easily gained travelling to and from various tuition classes. Don't let your past-grades force a rip-tide on your desire to work hard the coming year(s). Sometimes even your predicted-grades may put you down and you may think 'all is over', truth is: it's never over unless you're a lazy donkey. Regardless of what people say, your parents' high expectations that has a history of child-suicides all over the world...be detached from all that, believe in yourself, work smart and continue living life: making new friends constantly, doing tiny good deeds every-time whether that means carrying groceries for your neighbour (whether or not she has a beautiful daughter), offering a seat for the lady on the Dubai Metro etc. Don't feel shy to do good deeds, and while you be building on grades, you'd be also building character. Lastly well this blog-post has grown longer than I'd have expected, I hope I've covered my goal personally that is to motivate, encourage and drive you future-of-tomorrow lot despite how 'flunky' or hunky-dory your grades look on paper. Solutions are there, are you? Truth is I haven't received my grades but the experience of writing my 'boards' were amazeballs, keep me and all those who sat for their boards in your prayers and together hope we all fulfil our dreams and shake hands in the near future. One last thing if you have trouble with concentration like myself 'cause of social media and etc, here's some food for thought. Try meditation. Look it up online! And remember whatever you doubt, kill the teacher if you have to, provided your doubts get cleared (don't feel smarter than the teacher, that can prove 'cocky', just saying) and don't feel scared to speak to those the year above you for e.g. A Level students. Hope you find this relevant, no offense intended; just smiles and positive vibes! Big love, M M L Dias

Listen to me, my dear.

On a bright Sunday morning, With birds chirping in the sky. So often do you see a mother and her child disputing beguile. Amid the cold, wintry breeze. Amid the busy faces lie a smile all setting off for work in air conditioned office rooms, stuffy cubicles and lifeless sights. There too flies a dove singing. Up in a treehouse or down in a mansion. Designer or department store? Mankind so prone to worry. The school bus and the little girl is crying. Crying not of joy for being able to go to school and study...crying because her Physics exam in the two hour future is too hard. While nature sings its sweet songs. 'Listen to me, my dear' He says! Are you deaf or do your Beats by Dr Dre beat so hard you cannot hear me chirp, breeze, smile and sing? Sorrow looks back, worry looks forward and faith looks at Jesus! Give him all your worries after all he died for your sins not his and let him rise you up.

Buses and taxis

On pain of lack of income? A good mother shall not enerve her son's teaching. Of course she'd see the need of taxis, the need for a driving license. Also the mutual understanding of lack of income, that her son's education shall not hunger and thirst. So does a good mother push her other one on a pram, wait for hours for the bus be it in piercing cold or stifling heat. To sing at church or lay the bricks of education for her son. For it will make him the person he is today.

I write a prayer

I write a prayer, to the wretched, the crippled, the non believers. They may not only seek refuge but faith! I write a prayer, not in the form of words, in the form of lyrics! In the form of pictures, in the form of sceneries. That mankind may humble down the sail. I write a prayer, for the fatherless, motherless, childrenless not only due to inability but misfortune and circumstance that may seek parentage and children in the Lord writing this prayer I write a prayer, for culprits who resort to the bosom of technology than nature wives than whores children than contraception to move forward. I write a prayer, for the human race to pray.

Rape

The idiocy that rains in an individual to commit such a horrifying life depriving act more than the heart can bare A child's mind body abused vandalised Government regulations can only go so far. Like medicine; cooling the solution. However the solution to end really lies in one's heart. Sex is one of the greatest gifts bestowed by God in the image of love. Yet rape was impregnated into this gratifying act out of jealousy by the devil to which most lads fall prey, fall into the clutches can team up with the devil. It is our duty as individuals to spread love. More and more love. We have received from God. Spread awareness for the importance of women rights in one's heart. For nobody has the right to rape a beauty, a fairy, an angel.

Study

Seems like the hardest thing in the world. Indeed yes it is. The stress, the fatigue. How much more could you have done in that time spent? Nothing. Cause what you learn is what will never go to waste and what you waste is what you will never learn. Therefore learn. Break them chains. Free yourself. Release your full potential! Use your intelligence, your wit, your talents...we are all born with them. Together lets learn and make this world a better place.

Sweet poison

It is a sweet poison, no doubt. Can help you sleep at night. And eat and drink things you would vaguely heard nor remember of. It is a sweet poison, no doubt. Taken in the right dire quantities can shake you for the better. Help you see beneath the sheets, beneath the deepest of waters. Lastly it can make your world go around. It is a sweet poison, no doubt. If like everything taken in balanced quantities can reap good things. Good things that are permanent not temporary. Hope and pray it is only normal, human affections are inevitable and are to be embraced not leave you like a limp.

This new time

A new year awaits you. Turn away from all your past's sorrows. Let your heart take care of your health. While you take care of your heart where all doom and gloom is born and all doom and gloom die. This new time, my friend, this new time. Everyday is a new time, a new beginning...if you see it not, be it you see it so this year. Make peace with your enemies we are all one in the Lord's eyes. Let not Satan be the excuse for your evil, let not evil be your pride. It is time to turn away from the bad. Time to let lose. A new time awaits. You better embrace. The Lord's blest you with the gift of time. Thou must not take it for granted!

Buses and taxis

On pain of lack of income? A good mother shall not enerve her son's teaching. Of course she would see the need of taxis, the need for a driving license. Also the mutual understanding of lack of income, that her son's education shall not hunger and thirst. So does a good mother push her other little one on a pram, wait for hours for the bus be it in piercing cold or stifling heat. To sing at church or lay bricks of education for her son. For it will make him the person he is today.

What is good and bad?

If abortion be right, may I ask thee oh righteous one; what the fuck are you saying? Letting the wrong-doer whose wronged an innocent girl's innocence both in mind and body, go, by mowing the police station's lawn. Like the grass of the lawn was more sacred than the grass in the dear little one's body? Circumstances are such that one wouldn't want to see her own child simply for the unholy act of how it became holy in one's womb in the first place, perhaps. Circumstances are such that premarital connections between one's bud being tenderly petaled became a ritual. Symbolic of insecurity, symbolic of pleasure, symbolic of lack of thought. Circumstances are such that the corrupt let corruption take sovereignty both in mind and land. Yet dear little angel don't you let anyone play with you or be shy to stand up for yourself or lack the courage in bearing your own child. You (with my utmost love in mind) have been abused as wickedly as a typhoon. Men are wicked, men are cruel...there is a fair proportion for everything be it fair or unfair. However dude don't "prick love for pricking thee down."