Dear Poetry

Saide Harb-Ranero

Dear Poetry,

Thank you.

I owe you my life…

You have showed me the only shining light among the piercing darkness of the night.

You have guided me through all my heartbreaks, false hopes, and unfortunate events.

You have healed me and continue to do so

As I see my own blood leak through your pages and manifest itself in the most beautiful of shapes; you humble me.

I owe you my sanity,

If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been buried deep in my sorrows, unable to make sense of the voices in my head.

You quiet them all and give them a purpose for existing

Dear poetry, thank you for always fighting my demons, as they lust for my soul in the shadows, all while my deadly sins conspire against me.

Published by Saide Harb-Ranero

My writer's story began as a pre-teen, sitting in my room, writing my daily story in my diaries, after surviving a civil war and living in an underground shelter for a year. It was important that my written thoughts remained private. I couldn't write in my mother tongue, Arabic. French was out of the question, as my parents could read that too. English was my only hope. I had to find a way to learn it fast. I knew about the language was from subtitled movies on TV. I taught myself English by listening to Alanis Morissette in the 90s and translating lyrics. I made it my mission to master English because, even as a young teenager, I knew I would move here one day. I was able to express my deepest feelings and darkest fears with vivid details, unafraid of anyone knowing. I was content. I suffered from depression, anxiety, and survived two-attempted suicides as a teenager. I left my motherland, Lebanon, as a 20 year old. Now, 16 years later, I am married, living in the U.S. with two beautiful girls. I am hoping that people would find comfort in my work and support through my stories! I am a fighter and I hope one day my voice would rise high enough to fight all of the injustice that has been wronging many souls. Thank you so much for reading!

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