Our Heart’s Desire
E.E.

Alone by N, Acrylic and mixed media on paper – 50 cm by 45 cm

Your heart and my heart over there
My heart and your heart over here
Kalbok wa kalby honak
Kalby wa kalbok Hona
 
We hug each other
As a blossom flowers in the tree
Positive energy
beats together
Are we all in the same boat?
Are we nine hearts?
six hearts?
or three?
 
Your heart and my heart over there
My heart and your heart over here
Kalbok wa kalby honak
Kalby wa kalbok Hona
 
We are all connected to a heart
Our longing hearts beat to see our family again
Your heart pulses for your loved ones
Aches
long-longing
through different seasons
 
Your heart and my heart over there
My heart and your heart over here
Kalbok wa kalby honak
Kalby wa kalbok Hona
 
Whether the sea is enraged
Or calm
We are one
What brings us together?
Could be Life
writing, singing, eating, painting, travelling, visiting, working, playing, migrating
Could be anything
But it is our energetic heart
That sails us to our heart’s desire
 
Your heart and my heart over there
My heart and your heart over here
Kalbok wa kalby honak
Kalby wa kalbok Hona

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E.E. is a teacher, poet and artist from Egypt. E.E. was part of the Islington Centre for Refugee Art and Writing group for several years, as well as the choir. At Islington Centre E.E. had the opportunity to work with Sita Brahmachari to develop my voice as a poet. Some of E.E.’s poems are based on their paintings, and they are also influenced by songs. E.E. likes to make refrains and choruses (half in Arabic and half in English) and put rhythm to these so that these refrains can be sung. E.E. has performed their poems and sang in numerous places including The Union Chapel, Amnesty International (video), The South Bank and even in the UK Parliament. E.E. is now a member of Writing Room where they have attended classes in poetry and writing children’s fiction. E.E. is currently working on a story for young people. 

N has been a regular contributor of the Islington Art and Writing Class for many years. She studied art as an undergraduate and postgraduate both in her homeland and in Britain. Her paintings and sculptures have been exhibited widely.

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