The Poet and The Nurse

Never listen to the naysayers even if they are close to you...

The Poet and The Nurse

By Sami Khalil

“Stick with your needles,” as he would tell her on some occasions. “If you don’t like poetry, it is alright, but nevertheless, do not put me down like my family does or my friends do. I will prove you all wrong for this house of ours, will be a shrine for poetry one day.”

His wife, an acclaimed nurse, with varied experiences in medicine, never developed the taste for poetry, for it was not her forte. She understood the values of medicine more than the written words. For him, it was his calling. He, who never put pen to paper until after the miraculous survival from a massive tornado, released all his thoughts and emotions upon this marvelous work of art to stay sane and thank God for the good and the bad. Her own prejudice and disapproval towards that art, left a sharp sword deep into his soul as much as his mother thought of him as the black sheep. Mallard lake marked his naked seclusion, ambrosial to kingly silence, brackish to most fans of his work. He haltered his hopes of recognition by his closest circle to no avail. So, he chased the ripples of time, riveted to the unknown, handcuffed sometimes to the flames of astral kisses. Life’s promises outlined stolen graveyard moments, framed in brokenness. His slowly garnered fame, struggling to make it, until he won something grand and kept it a secret from his wife. He told her he is going to Europe on a business trip, seeing her soon. Time has passed slowly and slowly. No sight or knowledge of him. She knew not whether he will return safely to her arms. The future was held in a grain of sand. She went stag many a times at social gatherings, lingering in torpor, pendulum swinging towards the little signs at the horizon. Why not for he fathered her hopes, crowning her dawns with words of love and sunshine rays, sending red flares up announcing celebrations. Pages kept turning in the shadows of hosted mauling, while she dressed up in checkered flags of amnesia, recording soundbites of the past. She remembered those old wounds quarantined from massive boulders. Sighs were powdered with moistened breezes as her eyes enveloped the silvery silhouettes of marriage cobwebs. By accident, she turned on the T.V. one day to watch the news, her heart pulsed in joy and with longing, unravelling at the seams of hope. She bit her lips, pumiced by sunlight, writhing in waves after waves of joy.

Her husband was receiving (The Nobel Prize) in literature. After thanking the committee and his dear wife for being there for other things, he said:

“In the darkness, we look for heavenly guides.

In the light, we are lost in the crowds.

Poetry lives in darkness and in the light

In peace or fright, in memory and future bright.”

    

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

the rich, deep language caused me to read and savor ...love the tornado that sent him to the pen ;) i do recall vividly the one that did the same to me Sami! you story had me guessing whether they would survive in the end ...but the bigger surprise for me is him receiving the prize of all prizes ... your closing wraps poetry up in a nutshell infused with sound wisdom ... and i am still not sure if they survived as a couple ...but i'm satisfied with the read and the story for sure
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! They did for he won the bet and she believed him finally after being a skeptic all along. So honored by your visit and so thankful for all you say and do. Much power to you sir and much inspiration to us all.

[Einstein Noodle]

wow from me!!! thank you so much Sami .. that kind of appreciation unlooked for blesses and humbles me for sure ... things we all need once in a while eh!? top o' the mahrnin' to ya! ;)

[Sami Khalil]

You deserve it. You are welcome.

[emmajoy]

Your words prove that language means more than a billion thoughts Tis said that one word can make a second lose time.. and love live. Maybe that is what you've said on and off through your wonderful story. It really is full of scenes and more describing far outside the norm. Your great man.. recieved what he deserved.. his admirers share and learn what his wife knew long before. Will stop.. am numb with various feelings and just a mind going around in circles.. think will come back.. to read very slowly and learn.

' Sighs were powdered with moistened breezes as her eyes enveloped the silvery silhouettes of marriage cobwebs' - So much to feel in that.. and many more quotes too..

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. You are funny and amazing. You did a good job understanding this as I know you are smart. Thank you so much for the time and effort. Visit soon.

[emmajoy]

must go.. am outing and abouting. tarrah.. you're welcome - will read again or rather, more fully.

[Sami Khalil]

Have fun. Should I be pouting. Lol

[emmajoy]

No pouting allowed! Went to see a related movie of a West End (London) show, American in Paris' was wonderful in every way. Almost better than being in a theatre auditorium, so much closer cos has been filmed. Love, love musicals A much needed happy outing, Sami. Thank you muchly.

[Sami Khalil]

:)...............

[KeeD]

Sami my friend this was a profound read. Wow!! It drew me in immediately and I was invested in the characters, the way you describe the struggle of what it means to harness this artform and how we are such brittle souls if only aching for some sort of support to latch on to, so we can drive our passion for words to the destined finish line. I felt every emotion, it almost felt too real. I love how you connect a message in this entire piece and not only is it redemption to pursue a dream, to chase an art but also it is the understanding and connection that poetry is bigger than just a husband and wife, bigger than just a manifested and cultivated talent, it is, in fact, a form of life in itself. Thank you for this story it made my morning!

[Sami Khalil]

"is it redemption to pursue a dream, to chase an art but also it is the understanding and connection that poetry is bigger than just a husband and wife, bigger than just a manifested and cultivated talent, it is, in fact, a form of life in itself"
I'm blown away. I can't agree more. Your words on this write are so poetic and true. I can tell the great talent and understanding you possess.
I can't thank you enough.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami... “When the sky is the darkest, the Stars shine the brightest” is a Quote that is so true. A nurse or a doctor prescribes medicine for a person who has a physical ailment, but when it comes to emotional well-being, a poet can heal the soul and heart with words. It is so beautiful that the Poet in your poem won the Pulitzer Prize. A Nurse and a Doctor can save another person’s life which certainly coming together makes a whole person... the Poet and the Nurse (or doctor). Amen. truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said dear Patricia Wedel. I love the personal takes or interpretations for they are marvelous. I love your quote. I never heard of that but I love it. Thank you so much. Happy Summer.

[barleygirl]

Your story is intriguing, but I confess, it took me two times thru to grasp nuances (again I confess I did not accomplish this totally!) I love your overall storyline, a universal affliction in some marriages I suppose (altho I never married becuz I couldn’t be with someone unable to embrace major aspects of me). I thought I could feel the passive aggression in the way he went to collect his prize without telling his wife. The part that seemed unfathomable to me is the amount of time it took for him to be gone doing this . . . it seemed weird that it would take so long & she would live what seemed to be other lifetimes as she awaited his return. That whole stretch of being separated felt a little hard for me to grasp. But the snappy ending brought me back to the story full steam (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are so right. It is all relative. If you are having fun, times passes so quick. If you are in distress, it takes its time which seems forever. He never listened to the naysayers, not even his wife. He believed in his calling as she believed in hers.She or others could not discourage him or put him down truly. He had a vision and that vision must be fulfilled. He wanted to surprise her and prove to her the outcome and after the fact and not before. He claimed his prize and felt fulfilled in his spirit. I can go on and on...Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. You are right on the money.

[barleygirl]

I did easily understand the gist of your poem, which you explain in your reply to my review. I didn’t want you to think this part wasn’t clear. I did understand that he followed his dream even when others were not supportive, etc. I only commented on the part that seemed unusual to me (((HUGS)))

[Sami Khalil]

All good. Translation and understanding is left to the reader. The writer offers the fruit( if I can use this analogy) and the reader enjoys and digests.
Thank you tremendously.

[Lydia Shutter]

The phrase, "different strokes for different folks" comes to mind. Not everyone loves poetry. Still, if two are in a relationship, they need not love all the same things. "handcuffed sometimes to the flames of astral kisses" lines like this are almost lost in the midst of a short story. I have to say I enjoy reading your poetry more than your short stories, but this was very well written. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review. Glad to hear from you and glad you enjoy the work of art , I hope.

[Lydia Shutter]

Always like your choice of artwork, Sami. You are quite welcome for the review.

[Sami Khalil]

:::::)))))))))

[peter Duggan]

Hi Sami. Now this story definitely deserves much applause. It is a shame that the majority of people have no interest in poetry. This takes me back to the book ''Thus spoke Zorathustra'' by Friedrich Nietzsche. very few read it until he died. Then it became one of the worlds best sellers. When I write, like you I only write about things that might touch something in others who are the understanding types. I care not what others think and how many comments I get. I would rather I get the applause after I have passed away. I really enjoyed your poem, my friend, well done....peter

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are so right and deserving. I sure do agree and that how I function. I truly thank you.

[lightsong]

Dear Sami, first I want to apologize that it's difficult for me to read long pieces and I saw that You post many short stories, that's why I'm lazy in reviewing You my friend.

I'm really glad I read this one, though I'm not qualified to give a honest review about stories, but for me Yours was strong and solid, and in short stories I think even hard that You should keep it bonded all together, the thoughts and ideas so the reader won't be confused, for Your story to stay strong and bonded, Your messages are clear, and for me You did it, very well written, I believe his wife played the great motivation for him to keep writing and get better, think about it, it's true, and his little poem at the end says it too.

Thank You my friend for sharing Your valuable story and great message with us, yes... poetry and words do heal, they do, they heal the spirit, unlike needles, they only heal the body.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You have summed it up marvelously. I love your take on this short story. I can't thank you enough Light for all you say and do. God bless.

[lightsong]

You are so welcome my friend :)

[Sami Khalil]

:::::)))))))))))))

[Sami Khalil]

" Pages kept turning in the shadows of hosted mauling, while she dressed up in checkered flags of amnesia, recording soundbites of the past. She remembered those old wounds quarantined from massive boulders."

Sami Khalil