Open Space Resistance
By Dr. Zain Ali Shamoon
for ramble cats like us,
who scribble out loud
out here
we are likely to meet people who detract and tell us to keep our voices down
they tell us to “keep your voices down!”
out here
but they don’t know the pathways that moved our collective breath
all we were meant to offer, nor do they really support our rest
out here
so their reasons to keep us quiet have most certainly to do with them
so sing every song every resistance anyway – never for revenge
but also, never relent
your re-pen-tense is meant for Allah, so never kneel to any man
and if you were made a ramble cat, then ramble until you can’t
from Novi, to Detroit, Spain, and over to Japan
speak your love in volumes even when detractors don’t understand
how a restlessness like this could last, and not kill a Zan (spelled: Zain)
have you not met the merchants of change, who love, live, and love again
to raise our daily consciousness by first witnessing others’ speak
take the lessons they observed, to share with places steeped –
with speaker-box poets either blossoming or bloomed
out here
for public growth
in depths,
the more you know –
the more the devil tries to rip up your renaissance
so ramble cat, ramble on, ramble more, and pass it on
like dragon zord, or mastidon, the TJ det-wild confidence
we are the responders to all those memes that ask to make it make sense
so, in your presence, wrapped up good, to give in season’s greetings,
for every poet’s doubt, to minimize the things they’re speaking,
wondering if the lessons in their body are worth repeating,
no more retreating…
out here
out here. hear me. hear us. hear them. always.
and do it again now –
out here –
Author’s Bio
Dr. Zain Shamoon is a graduate professor in couple and family therapy. He is dedicated to the creation of spaces where people can tell their personal stories en route to their own wellness. He currently practices therapy online at Northwest Relationships in Tacoma, and is also the host and founder of the Narratives of Pain storytelling showcase.
He received his Ph.D. in human development and family studies, as well as his Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University. His research focused on domestic violence in South Asian communities and how survivors’ personal stories help address service needs.
In his twenties, Zain used be a competitive slam poet and performance artist.
Become a member at IMMH to gain exclusive access to professional educational webinars, opportunities to share research, and connect with mental health professionals. Join the network of Muslim mental health professionals today!
Be Featured on IMMH!
We invite you to share your work with the IMMH community. Email your submissions to blog.editor@muslimmentalhealth.com . This includes written or art-based submissions (e.g. Digital art, painting, photography, poetry, etc.), offering an opportunity to share insights on Muslim mental health for publication on the IMMH website and be featured on Instagram, Facebook, and the newsletter.