(for Khadija Abukar)
already you're in my
    my mind,
more than only a
    friend,

i met you hustled
    and felt tender call
      of soul, yet find
        myself in
            wonder,

my heart leaps up at
   the sound
of your voice, as if
    i'm abound;

though far away
    apart by oceans,
       my soul mingles,
          high emotions,

and from day's toil
   comes to seem
relaxed, at home in
   my dream where
     every night i meet  
        you,
you with the Light
   that'll save, too--

for it's been as we
   met, and is, true in
     stars that you may
       as well
        are the Promise;

you easily sit by me
   and soften
this poor soul of
   mine, which often

finds himself too
   much lost in
     your eyes,
        and thinking of
          you, all the
             'whys'

in my mind of this
   cold, cold world,
simply disappear,
   leaving me bold

enough in my heart
   to dare cope
     with whatever--
       there's with you
          hope:

everything is happily
   open in the future,
only if you and I will
   act mature!

                     -by
           Hakim Kassim.