Come Back - Halima Hussein

Come Back Come Back

Come back to me like fireworks I know you have fear and anxiety of what if we lose it all again. What if tomorrow I put on that mask and I stand in that line inching

Cto get back to you I know you have spent months alone and nights sleepless, but I will wait for you. I hold your spirit. I hold your space. Come back to me like fireworks Sit with me under the soft lights of our favourite restaurant Admire with me as we catch glimpses of families laughing in the liberating joy of being together. Smile with me as our eyes light up with the possibility of tomorrow Because after countless days of worry I will always hold your space. Come back to me like fireworks I welcome you in with open arms I take in your smell, the colour of your eyes and the new grey strand in your hair because I have gone too long without it. My friend, love, family, come back to me like fireworks because our deep conversations are the stories I live in as the world has kept us away from one another. Hold my hand and let’s make the memories that were meant to be made now. Let’s dance, sing, scream and cry because we overcame something unexpected in our lifetime. Come back to me like fireworks of new beginnings and a life to be fully lived. Born in Edmonton, Halima started writing at 14 years old, and always finds inspiration in everything—often pulling from her experience of life and culture. In the last two years Halima has become a podcaster, being the creator of “What’s Your Hustle”, a podcast that explores people’s hustles, inspirations and passions. Her experience includes writing for blogs as well as the podcast interviews.

Halima Hussein whatsyourhustlepodcast@gmail.com whatsyourhustlepodcast

Photographer: Tyler Blackwood tylerblackwoodphotography

// Colé Richards, Indigenality Photography Shima Robinson is a woman living in Edmonton. The Amiskwaci‑ wâskahikan (Edmonton) born poet and spoken word artist embodies, with every poem, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name, Dwen‑ nimmen. Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision‑of‑language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners in a new realm of poetry mysticism. She is a wordsmith who uses her potential and force of po‑ etry to uncover the full range of emotions possible. This explains why her poetry is authentic, powerful and filled with power and wisdom. Her poetry heals from the threads of generations of the past. This is the beauty of listening to Dwennimmen. She is a cultural testament that we can be authentic to our roots and fearless in our beliefs.

Dwennimmen holds a Sociology and Creative Writing degree from MacEwan University. She is currently studying at University of Alberta for a Master’s degree in Arts and Community Engagement. She works at the Alberta Public Interest Research Group and at the Edmonton Poetry Festival as the artistic director. Shima knew in her teens that she was going to be a poet. She was performing by the time she was 19 years old. She was one of the earliest Black voices on the scene pushing her poetry. She said people appreciated her work and they loved what she was trying to do. Shima told LCCMedia that she felt very affirmed when she found out that she had been accepted to be the artistic producer of the Edmonton Poetry Festival. No two days are the same for the dynamic artistic producer. Mental health is a big deal for most people these days, Shima is well aware of the stresses and tensions and cycles and makes time for martial arts. She wants to be remembered for ‘opening up’ poetry to all the other communities. “I want to be known for making it fun and accessible”.