Interview with Erni Mohamed Kasim

We are with Madame Blossom, the poet of the poetry book I read with pleasure.  We met her in Istanbul.  Besides being a good traveler, she is also an inspiring woman with her Instagram blog.  I wanted to introduce you to her.

Hello Madame Blossom, can we get to know you better?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: My name is Erni Mohamed Kasim.  I am a Muslim from Singapore, a full time IT Consultant and a mother of four grown children.

Why the name Madame Blossom?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: The name started off as something playful, from the Powerpuff Girls, Blossom.  My friends and I gave nicknames to ourselves after our favourite characters.    Somehow the nickname stayed with me.  As I grew older I included 'madame' in my nickname, and that's how Madame Blossom came to be.  

I think it's a nice name. Soft like your poems...

Your poems are in the moment, calm and peaceful. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: The poems in the book are based on my own life experiences, my thoughts and also stories from friends.  I have read some poems written by non-Muslim women, some of which I liked. 

I thought that we should also have some poems out there based on the perspective of a Muslim woman. because even though we go through some same life experiences like friendships, marriage, motherhood and all that, our outlook in life and how we manage our challenges in life are different from them, 

I hope Muslim women who read the book can feel connected and comfortable with who we are. 

As a Muslim woman, I definitely felt very connected to life in the poems. I am one of those who hope to see this female power inspire other women, especially Muslim women, no matter where we are in the world.

I read your poetry book with pleasure. You also have illustrations in the book. How long have you been drawing?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: I don't draw a lot.    I am not as good as real artists out there who have real skills and patience.    My drawings are quite basic and simple, but I thought that it would represent me more in it's minimalism. 

Madame Blossom's Book of Poems
-Erni M. Kasim

What do poetry and illustration mean to you?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: Poetry gives people a more reflective view of everyday things we see, or events we experience.  When a person ponders over a meaningful poem she reads, it may etch an impression in her mind.  

Illustrations are an appreciation of God's creations and blessings.  When someone illustrates, they pay attention to finer details of some things we usually don't notice as we pass them. The illustrations in my book gives the readers an image I have in mind, as I write the poem.

What do you think is art?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: Art is one of the mediums of appreciating God's creations and blessings.  Illustrating thoughts, everyday lives, nature.    In songs, I've always appreciated how God inspires people to compose beautiful or catchy melodies and sing with God-gifted beautiful voices.    

Of course like a lot of the blessings, art is also being misused by some to promote something that is not healthy for the mind.   So I think we need to be choosy of the kind of art we appreciate.

I ask this question to every guest. Different answers are given each time.  You explained it really well.

You love to travel. We met you during your trip to Turkey. What are your impressions of Turkey ?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: Turkey is so vast and is rich with culture and at the same time modern.  I like the small and less busy streets of Eyupsultan and Nevsehir. I also appreciated what I learnt in Topkapi. 

 

I loved your shots during your trip to Turkey. It was great to watch Istanbul through your eyes.  But I haven't been able to visit Nevşehir yet.

How did your travels contribute to your life?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: During my travels I observe and learn about how people live and how they maintain their environment, how they interact with people generally and what is important in their lives.  When I visit places I appreciate the positive things and try to bring back those experiences with me or within me.   God says that He created men and women of different tribes so that we learn from each other, so that's how I like to appreciate my travels.

This is one of the things that made me open a cafe - so that we can share some of the things we liked from other countries, to the people near us. 

Is there any genre you would like to write other than poetry? Or continue poetry?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: I still write poetry once in a while. Other than that I have written screenplays for short videos and a couple of television productions.  I have a screenplay that I wrote almost 15 years ago which I still hope I can turn into a movie.  I also want to try to write a translation of a good book into my local language.  Other than that, at work, I write sofware requirement documents. :D

Very nice works. I hope your wishes come true easily.

What would you like to say to Art Inspired readers?

Erni Mohamed Kasim: Art is supposed to reflect beauty, hope or inspirations.  Find positive things in art and through art, we can learn to appreciate subtle things and also be inspired and in awe of God's blessings.

Thank you very much for being my guest. I'm very happy to meet you. May your simple elegance always be eternal. Your views and outlook on life are inspiring. I follow your cafe with pleasure. If anyone is wondering, Social media; @erniandtina

 

@madameblossom

Madame Blossom's Book of Poems for ☟

wardahbooks.com

Art Inspired ⛬