Murmurs From the Past

About the Book

The book is a collection of poems addressing the general public, especially adolescents, young adults, mothers, and students conducting psychological or behavioral studies.

Twenty-five poems are put together to entertain people with sentimental and romantic inclinations, tackling diverse human issues such as love, friendship, family ties, joy and sorrow, death... This work also has educational purposes, as it is a study of the changes that occur during the passage from adolescence to young adulthood through the depiction of perceptions and feelings during various life experiences. But the main aim of the book goes far beyond education or entertainment, it is to connect the author and the readers on the human level through the bonds of "psychological transference" and empathy. Therefore, the message behind the book is compassion and understanding; it is overcoming individual differences and realizing that life is best lived as an experience of openness and acceptance. Finally, the book is dedicated to the memory of the author's late grandmother and many poems are presented to her as a gift of unending devotion.

All in all, by the end of the book the reader will come to realize the sizeable change that takes place during the journey that stretches from the troublesome years of adolescence to adulthood. The verses, style, all around mood and theme of the poems differ to a certain extent as time passes and pages are flipped over. And while living these modifications in the personality and outlook of the author, the reader will reflect upon his own perceptions, views on life and its goal. Hopefully, no matter how young or old and no matter of what social and educational status, everyone who lays an eye upon these verses will see that nothing is as important as seeking your happiness and fulfilling your dream...After all, the only person who can make your life worthwhile is you! And this book is my way of saying: I have a voice, I could make a difference, I am alive to act and reject passivity and "rage against the dying of the light".

About the Author

My name is Rania F. Khayat. I'm a 20-year-old university student, majoring in International Business at the Lebanese American University.

I enjoy reading extensively as well as drawing, traveling and photographing the outdoors. I started writing my own poetry at a very early age and was met by my family's encouragement and so this hobby grew into a necessity I can't do without.

The thought of grouping some of my scattered poems into a book never occurred to me since I was not ready to face an audience. My poems seemed to be more of a personal way to express and deal with the diverse experiences life brought my way.

However, a few months back, my friends and family, having read some poems I wrote, advised me to publish.

Suddenly I felt the fear of criticism disappear and a strong sense of responsibility immerge. I wanted to present my audience a book that will not only entertain but more importantly, a work that will give them joy and a feeling of familiarity. I wanted my reader to feel understood and comment, "Oh yes I've been there, I'm glad someone else feels the same." After all, no matter how different on the individual level, we all share the same path toward growth and seek happiness. And by being accessible to all, I wanted my collection of poems to show that we all are one, and help each individual feel at peace internally as I felt when sharing my perceptions openly.