Alright, I've a lot and half to say to this essay but it will have to wait. I need sleep and essay-length comments are best suited for laptop keyboards.
What I will say now is this: your writing style is so smooth. It's quiet and confident. It has wit and humor but it retains this consistent feel, a feeling of an indoor voice that doesn't ever jump to higher octave, like pouring engine oil into a funnel. I dunno if that made any sense but that's how I perceived it.
Very well penned. And quite a long essay too. Good imagery and movement as well, with the different dreamed up weddings and bringing things back, like the bit about escaping having a husband you hate. I love it when writing builds on and alludes to itself. It creates for richness and mixed layering of ideas like a marble cake.
Time to sleep. Bye.
Oh and that drumming hype up as the groom is introduced is so lit! Saw it at the first Syrian wedding I attended (the most segregated wedding too, boys and girls had completely different venues in neighboring cities/districts). Us brown folks, the tablighi jamat kind at least, don't know how to have any fun at a wedding. A funeral and walimah feel the same. Imma have to hire some Arabs to bring the hype when I get married haha.
Thank you so much for this comment, such lovely compliments, especially for a writer, and I appreciate that you took the time to offer your perspective so much.
I absolutely love the drum entrance as well. The zaffeh is the most entertaining part of a Middle Eastern wedding, in my opinion, and it always gets me moving even though I’m not much of a dancer.
This is so beautifully written and is just so..raw and vulnerable. As a hopeless romantic myself who plans weddings for every guy I remotely like I can understand this so well. I've also lived in Saudi for 10 years so a lot of the atmosphere you described was so real and felt familiar. I love this so much and I'm hoping the best for you. You know how to articulate your thoughts into writing perfectly and that's a gift no man can compare to. Thank you for this ♡
Mahi, thank you so much for reading and leaving this comment. You made my day!
Above all I'm so glad I reached an audience based in (or that has experienced) the Middle East because I definitely worry about relatability since... living here can have specific connotations and cultural ideals. I can't say I'm glad you related (this experience sucks), but so glad to have you around. I'd love to visit Saudi one day.
Ofc I totally relate to this. I write a lot about being away from home and homesickness and the cultural expectations and all that so I also definitely worry that I will not reach the target audience. I'm so glad I found this because it's so captivating and I'm excited to read more from you. ♡
this was such a well-written, atmospheric window into your beautiful poetic life. you have me so emotionally invested, i am rooting for you!! every turn in your life has turned into this gorgeous poetry and i am so eager to read more!!
I’m so glad the universe brought us together haha. We’re in the same age-range, feeling the same feelings, and there is something so beautiful about that. I am grateful I am not alone in these thoughts. Thank you for being here <3
It’s literally 2 am rn where I’m from. I can’t stop reading your essays. I feel so seen 🥹🥹 you have such an articulate way to convey intricate feelings
my first time reading your essay, & to say I'm stunned. The writing and feelings of womanhood are so intricate. I resonated it deeply, every word of it. Thank you fir sharing your introspection to this beautiful space. Fi amanillah Amal ♡
Thank you so much for your comment and for taking the time to read it. I am so glad to hear that you resonated with this piece that is so close to my heart <3
Alright, I've a lot and half to say to this essay but it will have to wait. I need sleep and essay-length comments are best suited for laptop keyboards.
What I will say now is this: your writing style is so smooth. It's quiet and confident. It has wit and humor but it retains this consistent feel, a feeling of an indoor voice that doesn't ever jump to higher octave, like pouring engine oil into a funnel. I dunno if that made any sense but that's how I perceived it.
Very well penned. And quite a long essay too. Good imagery and movement as well, with the different dreamed up weddings and bringing things back, like the bit about escaping having a husband you hate. I love it when writing builds on and alludes to itself. It creates for richness and mixed layering of ideas like a marble cake.
Time to sleep. Bye.
Oh and that drumming hype up as the groom is introduced is so lit! Saw it at the first Syrian wedding I attended (the most segregated wedding too, boys and girls had completely different venues in neighboring cities/districts). Us brown folks, the tablighi jamat kind at least, don't know how to have any fun at a wedding. A funeral and walimah feel the same. Imma have to hire some Arabs to bring the hype when I get married haha.
Thank you so much for this comment, such lovely compliments, especially for a writer, and I appreciate that you took the time to offer your perspective so much.
I absolutely love the drum entrance as well. The zaffeh is the most entertaining part of a Middle Eastern wedding, in my opinion, and it always gets me moving even though I’m not much of a dancer.
Thank you, again, and sleep well! <3
This is so beautifully written and is just so..raw and vulnerable. As a hopeless romantic myself who plans weddings for every guy I remotely like I can understand this so well. I've also lived in Saudi for 10 years so a lot of the atmosphere you described was so real and felt familiar. I love this so much and I'm hoping the best for you. You know how to articulate your thoughts into writing perfectly and that's a gift no man can compare to. Thank you for this ♡
Mahi, thank you so much for reading and leaving this comment. You made my day!
Above all I'm so glad I reached an audience based in (or that has experienced) the Middle East because I definitely worry about relatability since... living here can have specific connotations and cultural ideals. I can't say I'm glad you related (this experience sucks), but so glad to have you around. I'd love to visit Saudi one day.
Take care!!
Ofc I totally relate to this. I write a lot about being away from home and homesickness and the cultural expectations and all that so I also definitely worry that I will not reach the target audience. I'm so glad I found this because it's so captivating and I'm excited to read more from you. ♡
I'm excited to explore your work, I feel like I would feel so seen! So glad we crossed paths on the ether 💖
this was such a well-written, atmospheric window into your beautiful poetic life. you have me so emotionally invested, i am rooting for you!! every turn in your life has turned into this gorgeous poetry and i am so eager to read more!!
Wow! Thank you so much Whitney this means so much to me <333 Sooo glad you enjoyed it!
I loved everything about this🥹 love your writing style it’s truly amazing
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. <3
This is incredible. I could relate as a twenty-something Muslim girl. You wrote what I have also been feeling, and I thank you for that.
I’m so glad the universe brought us together haha. We’re in the same age-range, feeling the same feelings, and there is something so beautiful about that. I am grateful I am not alone in these thoughts. Thank you for being here <3
Oh I have an exam tomorrow and I was in the middle of preparing for it, but I could not resist reading this, you’re so brave!!!
Thank you so much for reading! Good luck on your exam! <3
I love this ❤️ that title alone had me hooked, like it was speaking to something i hadn’t put into words yet
Thank you so much <3
Loved this Amal 🫶
Thank you <3
now i can pretend that i know you even better ! 😂
i cant tell if you understand how (truly) fortunate you are or not…🤔
(i hope you can tell)
enjoy yore freedom(s) 💙
You probably already know me very well! Thank you for reading Seamus! <3
I felt this in my soul 🥹🥹 sending you lots of love and hugs Amal <33
Sending you so much love back, thank you for reading <3
ohhh Amal! You came into my mind and perfectly worded what’s going on. I love this and I love you💗
Thank you so so much, sending you all the love <3
It’s literally 2 am rn where I’m from. I can’t stop reading your essays. I feel so seen 🥹🥹 you have such an articulate way to convey intricate feelings
May God bless you
Hi Hanae! That makes me feel so soft inside. Thank you for reading. So much love to you <3
this was such a beautiful piece, I was completely mesmerised all throughout!
Thank you so so much <3
my first time reading your essay, & to say I'm stunned. The writing and feelings of womanhood are so intricate. I resonated it deeply, every word of it. Thank you fir sharing your introspection to this beautiful space. Fi amanillah Amal ♡
Thank you so much for your comment and for taking the time to read it. I am so glad to hear that you resonated with this piece that is so close to my heart <3
Another great one. You have so much heart, it always shows through.
Thank you so so much <3
Amal you’re an incredible writer
Thank you 🥹💖