The latest addition to our wonderfully talented team of contributing writers, Nejoud Al-Yagout, continues her love affair with poetry. While she writes for us and tends to the many literary works that surround her in the library, this fabulous librarian takes some time to tell us about her latest anthology. Awake in The Game of Pretending takes us on a “journey from disillusionment to self-realization,” Nejoud smiles. Although writing is still a hobby of hers, Nejoud dabbles in the art of letter writing. “I don’t write open letters,” she explains, “they’re personal letters to my nearest and dearest.” Librarian, poet, and freelance writer – “I only write articles when I’m asked to,” she laughs – Nejoud’s poetry transcends time and speaks to everyone.
Being an avid dreamer and serial fantasizer, Nejoud will continue to write what she loves and will forever blow us away with her beautiful poetry. “You never know who you’re inspiring by writing,” she smiles, “my advice to anyone out there, just write.” As the launch date for her much anticipated anthology is nigh, we wish her nothing but the best and can’t wait to read more of her writings! Since her writing isn’t chronological, you can easily pick up anywhere and delve into the curious world she creates with her poetry. Find out about love, the universe, and what it means to really be awake in this poetic journey of the self. We sit down with Nejoud for a little one-on-one to find out more about the hard hitting questions and points her poetry raises – and what love really means.
You wrote this book in six chapters – how would you describe each spiritual journey you embarked on from “Awakening” to “The Divine?”
The chapters are not necessarily in chronological order. In an authentic dissolution of the person-self, there will obviously be moments when we come face to face with our own darkness. The journey is one in itself, though it is divided into parts because the mind always wants to categorize everything. The mystical walk of life always, always, always leads to The Source, no matter how hard we resist it by clinging to ourselves and to the world. So we can say that “The Divine” is not the last chapter but the chapter. However, if we haven’t arrived, it is only because we have not surrendered yet and that is accepted as well. It is all a part of a universal dance. It could be the bow before the Waltz.
Based on “Realm-love” we find ourselves in need of asking: what is love if not love?
“Realm-love” includes polarities and so it is incomplete. Love, even in its incompletion is complete; even in its imperfection is perfect. When we allow the varied aspects of love, we can transcend our limitations of love. Where we are in our capacity to love is merely a role. There is nothing to be judged.
What sets Awake in the Game of Pretending apart from This is an Imprint in your opinion? And how do they complement each other?
Awake in the Game of Pretending is the evolution of a caterpillar into a butterfly – chrysalis included! This is an Imprint was more of a reflection of two frequencies living within me (and us) – lower and higher. The two books complement each other in that both owe their inspiration to the path of spirituality.
Would the “Game of Pretending” be how you view the day-to-day life around you?
Yes. We are all in this game of pretending. Once we awaken from the illusory dream, however, something shifts and the material world never appears the same again. This may sound enlightening, but it can be both painful and frightening if we are not ready to let go of our attachments to thought matrices and forms.
Do you view it as a type of social commentary on the superficiality that people have started to exhibit present day?
Yes. We can refer to specific parts of the book as a social commentary. Superficiality has been a part of our collective unconsciousness for millennia and is not unique to our present day.
Since you’ve embarked on writing these culturally driven pieces, what is your commentary on the state of being in Kuwait and the direction we’re going in from an artistic perspective?
Kuwait has finally been catapulted into a higher realm. Everyone in the art scene has noticed this. We are still living in a region of cultural restraints and imposed censorships. Unfortunately, we cannot have it all, right away. But, I see boldness lately and I like it. Baby steps, though. Baby steps.
Are you working on any exciting projects you’d like to share with us?
My book launch is around the corner. That’s as exciting – and terrifying – as it gets for me now!
You can find Nejoud’s books online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and iTunes. This is an Imprint is currently sold at Dar Nur, Q8Books (Bayt Lothan) and CAP Gallery. Her new book will be launched in Kuwait soon so visit her website for more information about it and future releases www.nejoudalyagout.com.
