I am ninotaziz
daughter of abang tik
daughter of chu rahmah
daughter of yang chik
daughter of bebunga
storytellers all
abang tik went to university
loves geography and history
her stories have time and place
rhythm and grace
she has lovely brown eyes
chu rahmah, a strict teacher
and always, loving grandmother
now bedridden, she forgets the stories
at her side, i recite favourite epics
her hazel eyes hold steady gaze
yang chik was a fiery woman
her husband a policeman
she spinned a tale for 3 days
for he went on duty for days
her eyes of grey bewitched him
bebunga's people from across the seas
her mother arrived in a nameless ship
bebunga told the hikayat stories
she left me this legacy of kinship
her purple irides - legendary.
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This is hastily written for the Thursday Think Tank over at Poets United - an exciting place to be
Sorry, I do not have pictures to go with this now. But the visual I chose is how I feel inside,
where my maternal mothers reside.
If this is hasty (and I know a thing or two about hasty) it is AWESOME. Love and Light, Sender
ReplyDeleteIt is a testament to the written and spoken word that those who make the greatest impression on our lives are the story-tellers. A beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA loving grandmother...she may have forgotten the stories, but they will live on through you and your children's children. This is truly lovely Ninotaziz! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing tale, laced with the history and emotion of years remembered for future generations to hold onto. Beautifully done...
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tribute to the women who went before you and made you who you are.
ReplyDeleteExcellent take on the prompt! =)
ReplyDelete-Weasel
You say it was hastily written.. But it is an impressive work. I think you captured the spirit of the prompt well. Nice one. I always like your poems.
ReplyDeletegreat introduction of your ancient ones - loved it!
ReplyDeleteI adore this poem, full of pride of heritage, emotion and remembering. Fantastic response to the prompt. (This was an especially good prompt!) Thank you for this. I loved every word and will return again to read it often. It is wonderful to look back at our lineage. I have a grandmother poem too! But didnt post it today. Great one, Ninotaziz!
ReplyDeleteHow neat it is to honor those of our heritage. I loved this, hasty or not.
ReplyDeleteNinotaziz,
ReplyDeleteA really delightful read and some insight as to who your family are. Very interesting indeed.
Best wishes,
Eileen
This is just so full of strength and pride, it's just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNinotaziz, where are you from? I am absolutely passionate about this poem... perhaps you try them all hastily, LOL
ReplyDeleteThat gave justice to Ayah Wan's first impression of you..
ReplyDeletea writer..extraordinaire!!
Where would history be, without story tellers? Love the names which sound so exotic to English ears.Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and I can feel the pride of piece~
ReplyDeleteFeel the emotional passion~ Well Done~
Storytellers indeed...nicely woven snapshot of your memories...thanks for sharing (^_^)
ReplyDeleteI like this very much. Wonderful presentation of characters. With feeling and something beyond respect and admiration. And concise in expression. Well done. - bill
ReplyDeleteMaternal lineage of storytellers plays out in beauty here. I like the way you used hteir names and their eye colors as contrast and link.
ReplyDeletesweet!
ReplyDeletelove the image.
That was an excellent tribute.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written!
ReplyDeletedestined destination
What a talent you have for making people memorable and beautiful. In a few words you created worlds.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful mystique in these legends of ancestry! Beautiful!
ReplyDeletenino, a beautifully written post.
ReplyDeletePamela
O My Word! A gem!Reminds me of the African genealogies. One would say I am so and so, the son of so and so, the grandson of so and so, my great great grandfather was so and so, he lived on this land, my great great great grandfather so and so once let an arrow fly and hit the bark of a sacred tree..in fact so and so of this clan of so and so blah blah...they have their data. I got that feeling here.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. And what did I hear, hasty? Nah.
I love how you weave your ancestral/family influences into your words ~ The opening lines caught my eye, and details of each storyteller unfolding is beautiful ~
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is a gem ~
Thank you Grace. I love stories of my maternal grandmothers. We have stories from both sides but my maternal grandmothers were strong characters all.
DeleteMy grandmother told legends and stories marvelously and yet - enjoyed Peyton Place !
We are a family of contradictions.
I love how you weave your ancestral/family influences into your words ~ The opening lines caught my eye, and details of each storyteller unfolding is beautiful ~
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is a gem ~
nice...i love a good story teller and i love that you read stories back to your grandmother now so she can remember as well...it is interesting the people that come into our lives and touch them as well...
ReplyDeleteI think of the people who have touched my life and feel blessed.
DeleteYes, Brian, I loved discussing and retelling stories and legend with my grandmother. Sadly, she is no longer with us.
Now my Mum and I discuss plots for stories. And my daughters too!
What a wonderful lineage you come from. I enjoyed reading a bit of your story.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed your visit here, Mary. I am grateful for my Mum and grandmothers. They are so much a part of me...
Deletevery cool...love how our fathers, mothers, granddads and grandmothers influence us and how they pass down the one or other bit from their personality..a lovely write
ReplyDeleteHow true, Claudia! Moments become lifetime memories.
DeleteI enjoyed being immersed in your family of story-tellers and in the beauty of your cultural heritage. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Victoria for reminding us to take a walk down memory lane...
Deletewe are carrying a torch for our grandparents
ReplyDeletenew editions of shared journeys, love the characters
Glad to see you on dVerse. It has been a long time since I visited your site but am amazed as always at the gift you have for writing and I can see it is in your family. What a wonderful legacy they have given you.
ReplyDelete...this a gem to keep... beautiful and full of pride... thank you... smiles...
ReplyDelete