Irreplicable Magic out Feb 9
Where does one begin, when the main character of the story they’re telling is a parent?
I’ve known him my whole life; my life story, really, is the story I’m trying to tell. But I’ve picked one chapter, the last one. That’s where I’ll begin:
It’s quite strange to look back on the day my mother randomly suggested I go to Hajj with her and my father. More strange events occurred; back and forths and all lineup changes, just for all three of us to make it there in the end.
My father died right after completing the final rites and was buried there. For those who don’t know, this is a big deal for us Muslims—it’s like he was handpicked by God himself.
His last instagram post was about his father, in Arabic. It’s the opening line of Irreplicable Magic. Also strange how that line applies to him now: he wished mercy upon his father’s soul. I wish mercy upon mine now.
Writing and creating this book has carried me through the worst of my grief over my father. It transformed my sadness into gentle beauty. I looked at the world from above with stunning bright and tearful eyes. How small we are. How insignificant and easily forgettable. Yet, some love makes us immortal. We pass it down from parent to child and hope it lives on.
Dearest, father… It does.
You are my immortal mountain. I only regret saying all of this only once, and saying it close to the end. I wish we didn’t go to war for so long. Peace, once we both had it, was glorious. I miss you every time I kneel to pray, and I remember your mother and your father for you. I see your face in mine and it’s like we are one, and yet, I can’t reach for your wisdom and humor.
The blood you shedded and the blood you passed down; the roads you traveled and the things you built; our silly little wars, my hollow victories. The complexities of us, and their meaninglessness in the grand scheme of all things human; I took all of it and put it into a work of beauty.
I worked really hard on this book, and I did every single thing by myself. From its first breath to the pre-order link you all see. I thought of it, made it and put it out into the world. I’m really, really proud of myself. In creating Irreplicable Magic, I did the job of a writer, an illustrator, a graphic designer, a craftsman, a publisher, a-, a-, a-… I can’t really remember the full list of skills I had to learn, re-learn or improve to get this done.
I’ll barely make any money from it. I priced it the lowest I could possibly price a poetry and illustrations book. I gave distributors and shops over 60% of the profit. I barely make a few dollars per copy. All because I want for the raw outpouring of my creative to reach as many people as possible.
If you choose to pre-order my book, I hope that, once you receive it, it will tuck you just a little tighter into your couch. I hope that you read my words and hear something inside yourself. That whatever distance between us, you will feel something unusually human for today’s world. I hope it makes you want to be closer to the ones you love, and that when you’re having just an average day with them, you’ll stop just for a moment and think “man, this is great.”
You know, in September, I reached out to my friend Abed to pitch the idea for him and try to get him to shoot the promo for the book. By then, I’d reached a special place of understanding this work. I told him how in Arabic, in cases of happenstance and when fate shows its hand, we say “Subhan Allah.” We use this phrase when things that are inexplicable occur.
This book is exactly that: unbeatable convergence, inescapable fate. The pre-written-ness proving itself. I can’t wait to hear how it makes you feel. Irreplicable Magic has done everything it can for me, and soon, it’ll be yours.
Fondestly and most lovingly,
Knightenly
KNIGHTENLY.COM
