"Through the eyes of the East"

About the Book

Poetry has always been my first love, ever since I studied the works of the famous international poets at school. I am originally from Pakistan--an area rich in culture and literature--and belong to a literary family myself. I have been dabbling in limericks and poetry since childhood, and have won prizes in literary competitions, as well as the first prize in an international short story writing contest. Life has dealt me some hard knocks, and poetry provides an outlet for the rainbow of my emotions. I do not wish to sound pompous or pedantic, but I feel that in the fast-changing landscape of the world, traditional values are being pushed into the background, by those who are chasing the superficial mirage of materialism. Poetry to me, is a reflection of the emotional moods of our lives. Along with Dr. Iqbal and Rumi, the famous Persian poet, Sa'di has been a source of guidance and inspiration to me. In his "Bouquet of Flowers," he says: "If you, the Truth always speak, And Righteousness, you ever seek, This wealth will certainly help you It will be your companion true." Some of my poems--written while living abroad-- are outpourings of nostalgia for my homeland, as in Rumi's Exordium on "The Lament of the Reed," in which he says: "Hearken to this Reed forlorn, Breathing, even though 'twas torn, From its rushy bed, a strain, Of impassioned love and pain." I started by writing these poems, more as a source of guidance for my children, and grandchildren, so that they could open the book, and find the message they might be looking for, or to get the right perspective on values. As I wrote, my verses seemed to evolve into a politically correct universal message. Life does not come with an instruction manual, but I hope that this book will be able to help the younger generation, in particular, even in the smallest way, to acquire a spiritual perception of life.

About the Author

Salma Hamid Hussain was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and was educated at St. Joseph's Convent Girls' High School, and College. She then got her post-graduate degree in Education from Karachi University. She was married at age 19, and widowed while she was teaching in Iran. She was in her thirties at the time, and had had three children, who became the focus of her life. After teaching for a year at St, Patrick's High School in Karachi, she got a job as a Persian translator, which took her to various countries, including the Gulf,Cyprus, and the United States. She won many kudos for her work, and as a member of the International Society of Poetry, she won an Editor's Choice award, and her poems were published in the ISP's anthologies. Apart from her family, her interests include reading, writing, travelling, international cuisine, charity work, and alternative health therapies. This is her first book, but she is working on a self-help book based on her life's experiences in the East and the West, a cookbook on an eclectic mix of recipes from other countries, and an anthology of short stories. She also has some plans to highlight the problems, and lack of facilities for senior citizens, and to present innovative ways to make life easier, and interesting for them. She currently resides in Karachi,Pakistan.