‘Peace is the true flavour.’

- from Shaah for Healing by Mohamed Sudi

In this episode of 3CR's Spoken Word show which aired on Thursday 20 February 2025, you will hear poet Mohamed Sudi talk about shaah (tea), healing and hope as well as some of the secret projects he has been working on.

Mohamed Sudi is a Somali refugee, poet, and calligrapher. He is a member of the Calligraphy Society Victoria, and a 2024 Australian Poetry Slam State Finalist. His multilingual storytelling brings words to life both vocally and visually, blending spoken word poetry with Arabic calligraphy. Through vivid and immersive storytelling, Mohamed takes audiences on a deeply personal journey—from the joyful games of his Mogadishu childhood and his love for Arabic calligraphy to the harsh realities of war under Siad Barre’s military regime, which uprooted his family from Somalia. Set against a backdrop of displacement and renewal, Mohamed’s deeply moving storytelling bridges memories and dreams, offering audiences a profound exploration of survival, identity, and the unbreakable human spirit.

Poems written and performed by Mohamed Sudi in this episode:

Somalia Australia

Shaah for Healing (mono stitch)

Hooyo (Mother)

Note

Spoken word and poetry come from the heart and touch on all the topics peculiar to the human condition. As such there may be content in this show that could cause distress. Please practice self-care when listening and seek help if you need it.

Credits

Recorded and produced by Indrani Perera.

Thank you to Mohamed Sudi for sharing his poetry and to you for listening!