NorahHussein | amplius sapiens

Norah Hussein

P O E T

The celebrated poet Norah Hussein is known for her intellectual and amoristic poetry, and is often referred to as the modern female version of Rumi. She is greatly admired for her truthful writings and her choice of topics, which is rare for women of Middle Eastern descent. Credited with a long list of creative collaborations has made her poetry into a world wide sensation.

Why did you choose the path of becoming a poet?

I have always been fond of literature since childhood, but the initial turning-point in my life happened on a trip to Greece in the summer of 2018. There I connected with myself on a much deeper level and It lead me into a very reflective stage of mind. Shortly after, I knew very clearly that poetry was the most ideal way for me to express myself and unison change our society for the better.

What inspires you?

A lot of things inspire me actually, but the theme of the poem often dictates where I find the inspiration ad – for instant, if I were to write about my heritage, then I would explore my own roots, dive into the Middle Eastern geography, examine the language, investigate the traditional cuisine, and explore the history and culture in general.

With that being said, mainly music is a great source of inspiration for me or any kind of strong emotion that gets triggered by listening, watching or feeling something.

Who do you admire? Do you have any role-models?

Of all the authors out there, I have always had an adoration for writers that promote messages of unity and especially love, like the ancient poet Jallal-u-deen Rumi. A lot of his poetry centers around being compassionate, humble, insightful and brave in a romantic way, and I find that to be very inspiring.

Besides poets and authors, I find great admiration for people that continuously strives for equality and unity, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Malala Youssef, just to name a few.

What do you priorities the most in a day as a poet?

Creativity works just like a muscle; the more you stimulate it, the bigger and better it gets. That’s why I am constantly visiting art-galleries, going to museums, attending music concerts, exploring workshops, watching documentaries, meeting new people, traveling abroad at least twice a year, etc. The more I get exposed to, the more creative I get, and then eventually the writing will flow out of me organically. That’s why seeking inspiration proactively is my biggest priority of the day.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned professionally (so far)?

I have learned, that if the topics gets more personal, then it makes the content much more authentic and leaves a bigger impact. Avoiding any type of current trends makes room for me to find my own unique style and voice, which gets reflected in the work.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned privately (so far)?

Poetry has helped me to get an honest and deeper insight into myself by addressing my feelings and thoughts. Previously there would have been certain topics that I felt were uncomfortable to talk about, but through poetry I had been able to verbalize these issues, which have been very therapeutic for me.

What tools are essential to your career as a poet?

The first investment that I made for myself, as a poet, was a genuine good laptop that operates efficiently. It makes the whole writing process much more enjoyable. The second investment I made, was upgrading my smartphone and getting my personal webpage. This has allowed me to communicate, photograph and share my poetry with others online. The third investment I made, was buying an old vintage typewriter, which I use a lot when collaborating with others, since it gives an instant result by writing directly onto the paper. Besides that, I always carry around a small notebook to write down ideas for future poems.

What philosophy do you live by?

I genuinely believe that love is the strongest force in the world. Every obstacle I that have faced so far have all been conquered by love. My parents are a living proof of that, since they fled from a war torn country and arrived in Europe penniless, they somehow managed to overcome their challenging adversities with hard work and unconditional love. I try to implement the same spirit in my poetry as well, by addressing the bad but focusing on the good.

What’s your goal in life as a poet?

My initial goal is to make a profound change in our society through my poetry. If I can guide, improve or help people to re-connect with themselves and others, then I strongly believe that we can create a better world, where our similarities are valued higher than our differences.