LESSON 3

Knowing the Author

Nassefh Macla
 Mohammad Nassefh R. Macla

● Graduate of the University of the

Philippines-Mindanao.

● Bachelor of Arts - English major in Creative

Writing.

● From Panabo City, Davao del Norte

● Awarded as workshop fellow to the 54th

Silliman University National Writer’s
Workshop in 2015

● Involved in various spoken word shows,

and has written a couple of short stories as a
student.
Mohammad Nassefh R. Macla
● One of the young writers who regularly
contributes in Dagmay; Literary Journal
of the Davao Writer’s Guild.

● The youngest panelist in the 56th

National Conference of the Philippine
Center of International PEN (Poets,
Playwrights, Essayist, and Novelists.)
● Happy living with his Child
and yet to consider having
Four Wives in the Future.
 HIS WORKS:
Title Type of
Work
Date
Ang Sembreak Ni Rencio Boy Panchito Play October 29, 2017

Water Lilies of Tukanalipao Poetry March 5, 2017

Ang Jihad ng Manunulat : Pagsusulat Nonfiction October 30, 2016
ng Kasaysayan ng Bangsamoro sa
Pamamagitan ng Tula.

Fatima, The War Nurse Poetry July 31, 2016

Mujahideen Poetry May 3, 2016
When a Poet wants to be a Statistician Poetry March 8, 2015
for a Computer Scientist’s Sake

Abu Bakr Talks to His Boss’s Imported Poetry January 18, 2015
Car from Germany
Tres Marias Poetry February 24, 2013
To Her Father Poetry January 13, 2013

Salaam Bapa Poetry January 13, 2013

Afya Play March 4, 2012

 Fatima, The War Nurse
Nassefh Macla
In her clinic in the camp, she whispers
Her prayers, hoping no one had been hurt.

But when the forest hushes from gunfire and grenades,

She hears howls of pain, Tabang! Tabang kamo!

Her instruments were all set, laid on the bamboo table—scissors,

Syringe, and bandages—waiting for the wounded.

A bloodied brother in front of her came with a headwound

Scalp grinning, slit by a bullet. And she stitches it

The way her mother had sewn her pink abaya.

Curious eyes peeking, vision passing through amakan walls.

Veiled women outside covering their mouths.

Pink, sequined veil covers her head. “The color relaxes
 The patient,” she remembers. As she buries the needle
In the warrior’s skin once more, she recalls how an old patient

Repelled her, refused her care, for she was wearing a veil.
She had not removed her tondong.

She had turned to another patient, since then.

She gave a slight smile behind her surgical mask

When “Alhamdulillah” came out of the wounded man’s mouth.

Fatima hears gunfire go off again as she washes her hands.

She closes her eyes and waits

For the forest to be completely silent.
End of Discussion ☺