There are certain times within the collective memory of human civilization when it is hard to see hope. There are times when death and destruction reign supreme over life, peace and harmony. Conflict within the human world is unfortunate and undeniable. Most conflicts seem to find their resolution as most darkness finds its end in the light of day. All but in one region, all but in one place.
For those who were born with the heritage of the Arabs in their blood, life is a blessing and curse. Vast resources vital in lubricating the wheels of capitalist gains render the Middle East an undeniable hot spot. With the West's policy of domination, dreams of Orientalism rain not only theories but bombs day after day. The minds and mentalities of common Arabia are forced not only to stray inwards, but to lose outward conscientiousness of every circle of association. Modern day commercialism renders deaf those who must hear, and cuts off the tongues of those who must speak. Lost within the crevices of greed and 'development' into civilization, the most important step in the progressive evolution of a people becomes an ever-increasing gap towards the dissolution of those very same individuals.
Our traditions and cultures are rich and deep. Our hopes and dreams have become subverted in the Politik. Though while the West plays a divisive role, the fault is none but our very own. The power change does not come from without but from within. We as a collective people have moved forward in the formal education of ourselves, however we have forgotten the most important education of all - the formal political education and evolution of our world. Leaders who prove themselves too impotent to deliver on protecting that which they have sworn to protect must face the consequences. As pressure rises within, those in the upper echelons of government must realize that the fuse is lit and that must deliver on all the banter that they have spewed.
Tonight there is more than a city that is burning. Tonight the hopes of millions, their dreams, and their identities are on fire. As I write this article over 300 people have died at the hands of the Israeli military machine. Through branding millions as terrorists, through lumping them into one category and destroying them in the name of peace, the Israeli government has managed to dehumanize the entirety of not only the Palestinian people but the people of any origin who dare to oppose in the name of their own self-determination and identity. The mass punishment and annihilation of thousands upon thousands of men, women, and children under the name of self-defense is lunatic. What is even more lunatic is the people who believe the criminal insinuations of the Israeli government.
There is no doubt in my mind that Raphael Lemkin is turning in his grave right now. The mass murder of a people under the false pretenses of protection and better life is what he spent his life fighting. I hope that the Jews readings this remember how Lemkin worked himself to death detailing the very international laws that documented the atrocities committed against their people by the Germans in World War II. Israel's genocidal wars will serve nothing but to recruit her more enemies and her people more pain and suffering. For the healing to begin there must be justice. Of the hundreds of crude rockets launched into Israel in the last couple of days there has been one Israeli death. The price of that death is the lives of 300+ Palestinians with amputated limbs and the crippled bodies in spare change.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Pray
Walking down an empty cold street,
It’s been a long day.
My feet on cold hard pavement,
And all I want to do is pray.
I want to put my head down on that floor,
And just let go of all my pain,
I’ve got so much fear inside of me,
I just can’t seem to lift the chain.
Dear God won’t you just help me be,
Content, and happy, equal and free.
I’m so scared, not knowing where to turn,
My eyes are straining, my stomach a churn.
They say I look different,
Something dangerous, vicious, and torn.
Something bent on destruction
Something that should have never been born.
I can imagine the day that you made me,
How you put me in this world,
The light of the universe inside of me,
My soft skin, my hair and eyes with your grace turn.
You made me in a part of the world,
That was born and destroyed night and day.
I heard the bombs flying
No matter what I couldn’t wish them away.
My skin was different,
The language was wrong,
I’m trying so hard to make them listen
No matter how hard I yell, their screams are so strong.
I’m so tired,
It feels like a mess,
I don’t know what they are thinking,
I’m not the same and they won’t confess.
I picked her up,
Off that broken floor,
Her head was limp,
She wasn’t breathing anymore.
Inside my soul was screaming,
How could this have come to be,
What could I have done to them,
For them to not let go of me.
It came and it took it all away,
I can’t say that I understand,
It shakes me whenever I think of it,
Just make it stop, just lift up your hand.
How could this have happened,
Why did she have to go,
What crime did she commit,
What sin did she show.
How can I make this right God,
What is there for me to do,
How can I escape them,
Send me a sign, a miracle, a clue.
Those guns won’t stop God,
I can’t block them at all,
The innocence is raped now,
There isn’t a house standing, there isn’t a wall
My hands are covered in blood now,
I’m screaming left and right,
I’m driving I’m racing, I’m pounding,
It won’t stop day and night.
The lights are flaring,
The tires screech,
Everytime that radio flies,
My mind stumbles, as my hands reach.
I see them laughing,
As their eyes smile and play,
I wish I could keep them,
The same everyday.
We’ve done our best to protect them,
Without lifting a gun,
We leave the rest to you,
For you are the all-knowing One.
---------
Dedicated to the memories of all the Lebanese and Palestinian victims.
It’s been a long day.
My feet on cold hard pavement,
And all I want to do is pray.
I want to put my head down on that floor,
And just let go of all my pain,
I’ve got so much fear inside of me,
I just can’t seem to lift the chain.
Dear God won’t you just help me be,
Content, and happy, equal and free.
I’m so scared, not knowing where to turn,
My eyes are straining, my stomach a churn.
They say I look different,
Something dangerous, vicious, and torn.
Something bent on destruction
Something that should have never been born.
I can imagine the day that you made me,
How you put me in this world,
The light of the universe inside of me,
My soft skin, my hair and eyes with your grace turn.
You made me in a part of the world,
That was born and destroyed night and day.
I heard the bombs flying
No matter what I couldn’t wish them away.
My skin was different,
The language was wrong,
I’m trying so hard to make them listen
No matter how hard I yell, their screams are so strong.
I’m so tired,
It feels like a mess,
I don’t know what they are thinking,
I’m not the same and they won’t confess.
I picked her up,
Off that broken floor,
Her head was limp,
She wasn’t breathing anymore.
Inside my soul was screaming,
How could this have come to be,
What could I have done to them,
For them to not let go of me.
It came and it took it all away,
I can’t say that I understand,
It shakes me whenever I think of it,
Just make it stop, just lift up your hand.
How could this have happened,
Why did she have to go,
What crime did she commit,
What sin did she show.
How can I make this right God,
What is there for me to do,
How can I escape them,
Send me a sign, a miracle, a clue.
Those guns won’t stop God,
I can’t block them at all,
The innocence is raped now,
There isn’t a house standing, there isn’t a wall
My hands are covered in blood now,
I’m screaming left and right,
I’m driving I’m racing, I’m pounding,
It won’t stop day and night.
The lights are flaring,
The tires screech,
Everytime that radio flies,
My mind stumbles, as my hands reach.
I see them laughing,
As their eyes smile and play,
I wish I could keep them,
The same everyday.
We’ve done our best to protect them,
Without lifting a gun,
We leave the rest to you,
For you are the all-knowing One.
---------
Dedicated to the memories of all the Lebanese and Palestinian victims.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Shadows On the Wall
Ever sat alone and just watched the sky?
Ever wonder who looked up and asked Him why?
Did a memory ever fade away?
Until it was nothing but old and grey?
Did you ever see someone smile?
And know in your heart of hearts that its been awhile?
Green meadows and wide open bays,
The stars shine and the darkneness stays.
Its cold outside but it makes me warm.
Living in the city, close to you and yet i'm far.
Ever wonder who did it before?
Asked God something, never for less, always for more.
Lost in swirls of smoke,
Taking it in, toke for toke, choke choke.
Little flakes twist and turn,
In the wind, they play and burn.
Paint the ground in shades of white,
Layer upon layer, imperfection out of sight.
No words to tell you whats on my mind,
Coffee, papers, and scribbles into paper grind.
Soft perfume, soft glow, and sweet morning embrace,
Putting it all together now, longing for a trace.
Came and went side to side,
Through and through, morning tide.
Frames on the wall,
Nails loosen, paintings fall.
Notes on deaf ears sing.
Morning light, good news on Robin's wing.
Lips to kiss and whispers make up,
Rosy cheeks and hands to cup.
With all the arcs standing tall,
I'm left with only shadows on the wall.
Ever wonder who looked up and asked Him why?
Did a memory ever fade away?
Until it was nothing but old and grey?
Did you ever see someone smile?
And know in your heart of hearts that its been awhile?
Green meadows and wide open bays,
The stars shine and the darkneness stays.
Its cold outside but it makes me warm.
Living in the city, close to you and yet i'm far.
Ever wonder who did it before?
Asked God something, never for less, always for more.
Lost in swirls of smoke,
Taking it in, toke for toke, choke choke.
Little flakes twist and turn,
In the wind, they play and burn.
Paint the ground in shades of white,
Layer upon layer, imperfection out of sight.
No words to tell you whats on my mind,
Coffee, papers, and scribbles into paper grind.
Soft perfume, soft glow, and sweet morning embrace,
Putting it all together now, longing for a trace.
Came and went side to side,
Through and through, morning tide.
Frames on the wall,
Nails loosen, paintings fall.
Notes on deaf ears sing.
Morning light, good news on Robin's wing.
Lips to kiss and whispers make up,
Rosy cheeks and hands to cup.
With all the arcs standing tall,
I'm left with only shadows on the wall.
Visions Vol. II
He just heard the news. As he sat quietly in his office, it slowly started to trickle into the crevices of his mind. He didn't know when it would really hit him. He lay back in his chair and just looked at the pictures on the wall. He had sent everyone home and the office was dim. Pondering his next move he took a sip of his drink and lit himself a cigar.
He worked so hard to make sure something like this would never happen. Right now he wasn't angry or scared. He was as calm as the ocean and yet in the back of his mind wheels were turning. He tried to calculate in cold blood what he would do next.
He had so many experiences under his belt. They took their toll on his face and he stared at the three ice cubes floating peacefully in his glass. He closed his eyes and just listened to the emptiness as the static from his computer screen fought off the darkness.
It took a while for him to get out his own mind. He'd gotten so used to watching others and setting traps for them to fall in. Its been a while since he had to calculate on his own behalf. The walls he'd built around his own fortress seemed impenetrable. Ever since he was a child he knew how people fell into traps and he made sure it never happened to him or those he cared about. In fact he made it his business - he was damn good at it too.
The price he demanded from those he loved was loyalty. There was no saying as to what would happen to those who crossed him. He wasn't an angry man but he was what people would call ruthless. The lack of grey in his decisions limited the situations he would have to deal with. The grandfather clock in the hall ticked mid-night and he took a deep breathe. It seemed like this would be yet another night in the office and he didn't mind. Lately his office became more and more like his home. Knowing himself he had taken the precaution of having everything he needed so that he would never have to leave. Though this was not necessary to his lifestyle it certainly was better. With all the emotions he dealt with from his clients and their enemies it was inevitable to maintain being cool and composed. It worked best in an environment he could control.
He poured himself another drink and pondered in detail what he would do. Secrecy was the best course of action at this point. No one must know, he knew how to keep the ones he wanted silent. Some owed him their lives and he'd make sure they knew that they depended on him. His mind drifted once again and he thought of his son. Subconsciously his hand moved over his forearm and the markings he etched there in testament to the birth of his heirs.
It was never good to think about the past, in this case he couldn't help it though. The soft smell of the bourbon in his glass and the warmth of his chambers brought him back to the days when he was schooled under the hands of his father. The rules were simple and they were the same ones he would give his son when he would come of age. It was never a good idea to talk. People had to be baited and surely their insecurities would come out. With the poker face he inherited from his father, concealing his thoughts was natural. In their private dealings his father molded his mind into what it should be when constructing thoughts and making plans. Power as it was revealed was not in having it, but in rejecting it to slowly pull the strings unnoticed. Subtlety was an art and his father made sure he passed on its mastery before he himself was to pass.
He slowly brought himself to reality, there was much to do and he could not afford to dwell any longer. He called his house and instructed his son on what to do. Time was of the essence and all the potential holes in his ship had to be sealed. As he heard Adam pick up the phone he felt his heart melt. There was no time to think and no space to contemplate if he was being hard on the boy. Through all the years spent learning how to control his outward appearance he sounded like he always did. He told his son what to do in his usual need to know basis and closed the phone knowing that was all that was needed to be said. When Adam would reach the mental age of understanding, all the family secrets would be revealed. As of now however he was on probation and Adam knew it. Like his father, he was bred for success and there was no room for failure. The family business was understood.
As he reached for his contact book to make some more calls, his phone rang. He looked at the caller display and knew this would only serve to complicate things. He answered, and as the caller delved more into details, he felt his plans mold themselves more and more in the line of his own questioning. There was little time to act, but as usual failure was not an option...
He worked so hard to make sure something like this would never happen. Right now he wasn't angry or scared. He was as calm as the ocean and yet in the back of his mind wheels were turning. He tried to calculate in cold blood what he would do next.
He had so many experiences under his belt. They took their toll on his face and he stared at the three ice cubes floating peacefully in his glass. He closed his eyes and just listened to the emptiness as the static from his computer screen fought off the darkness.
It took a while for him to get out his own mind. He'd gotten so used to watching others and setting traps for them to fall in. Its been a while since he had to calculate on his own behalf. The walls he'd built around his own fortress seemed impenetrable. Ever since he was a child he knew how people fell into traps and he made sure it never happened to him or those he cared about. In fact he made it his business - he was damn good at it too.
The price he demanded from those he loved was loyalty. There was no saying as to what would happen to those who crossed him. He wasn't an angry man but he was what people would call ruthless. The lack of grey in his decisions limited the situations he would have to deal with. The grandfather clock in the hall ticked mid-night and he took a deep breathe. It seemed like this would be yet another night in the office and he didn't mind. Lately his office became more and more like his home. Knowing himself he had taken the precaution of having everything he needed so that he would never have to leave. Though this was not necessary to his lifestyle it certainly was better. With all the emotions he dealt with from his clients and their enemies it was inevitable to maintain being cool and composed. It worked best in an environment he could control.
He poured himself another drink and pondered in detail what he would do. Secrecy was the best course of action at this point. No one must know, he knew how to keep the ones he wanted silent. Some owed him their lives and he'd make sure they knew that they depended on him. His mind drifted once again and he thought of his son. Subconsciously his hand moved over his forearm and the markings he etched there in testament to the birth of his heirs.
It was never good to think about the past, in this case he couldn't help it though. The soft smell of the bourbon in his glass and the warmth of his chambers brought him back to the days when he was schooled under the hands of his father. The rules were simple and they were the same ones he would give his son when he would come of age. It was never a good idea to talk. People had to be baited and surely their insecurities would come out. With the poker face he inherited from his father, concealing his thoughts was natural. In their private dealings his father molded his mind into what it should be when constructing thoughts and making plans. Power as it was revealed was not in having it, but in rejecting it to slowly pull the strings unnoticed. Subtlety was an art and his father made sure he passed on its mastery before he himself was to pass.
He slowly brought himself to reality, there was much to do and he could not afford to dwell any longer. He called his house and instructed his son on what to do. Time was of the essence and all the potential holes in his ship had to be sealed. As he heard Adam pick up the phone he felt his heart melt. There was no time to think and no space to contemplate if he was being hard on the boy. Through all the years spent learning how to control his outward appearance he sounded like he always did. He told his son what to do in his usual need to know basis and closed the phone knowing that was all that was needed to be said. When Adam would reach the mental age of understanding, all the family secrets would be revealed. As of now however he was on probation and Adam knew it. Like his father, he was bred for success and there was no room for failure. The family business was understood.
As he reached for his contact book to make some more calls, his phone rang. He looked at the caller display and knew this would only serve to complicate things. He answered, and as the caller delved more into details, he felt his plans mold themselves more and more in the line of his own questioning. There was little time to act, but as usual failure was not an option...
Visions Vol. I
It was a cold and crisp morning as he ran to see her. On this faithful day the sun was as bright and glimmering on the snow as her hair shined a crown on her already beautiful features. His feet didn't hit the ground as he sailed over roads and streets jumping over puddles and avoiding the ice with the biggest smile in his soul and on his face. Today was the day.
He crossed over the old city, the cobble stones and vendors everywhere each trying desperately to warm their lungs by making known their talents. He saw children playing in the snow, making imaginary wars and claiming themselves heroes. He smiled remembering his own days as a young one, making forts and planning attacks on all who dared challenge his might. The days when innocence wrapped her arms around him tightly never left his mind. Those were the days when everything was simple and it all made sense. His young adult life wasn't exactly the same, but those were thoughts for another day. Today was no day for Grey clouds! Today was the day!
He wondered how it would all begin. Where he would go when he saw. As much as the voices in his mind said it didn't matter he still wanted to have it smothered in the essence of perfection. That was always his character. His reputation mattered more than anything, and he wanted everything to be immaculate. The sun kissed his face reminding him that it was the last of his worries.
He slowed his gallop down to a walk, his heart still running. He looked around and decided to take his time instead. The cold made him feel fresh and the blue sky just filled his soul with glory. There would be time, and he'd use these minutes to center. Something was different about the old city today. She invited him to stay and watch. It was something he could never resist. Just as he started to hum he was ambushed by the very little devils he was admiring awhile ago.
He looked around after the snowball had hit him in the chest - they all went into hiding. No doubt scared, there he towered over them in his uniform and they didn't know what he would do. He picked up a snowball and hid it in his coat as he smiled. All of a sudden something hugged his leg from behind. It was his little niece. How he adored that child. Her three front teeth missing and yet she was prettier than any angel he could imagine. How could she not be...all the noble lines of their family ran through her and yet her delicate features were nothing like his own. Soft as a rose and twice as pretty she knew just how to ask him for whatever she wanted.
"Uncle, where you going?!" she exclaimed with that toothless smile. He couldn't help but wipe that serious look off his face. There was no way to fool that little one. He picked her up and tickled her till she cried of laughter. "That's what you get baby goat" he said as he set her down, she pouted and laughed as she ran back to her friends who heard her laugh and came out of hiding. He spied his eldest nephew and let him have the snow ball in the face knowing it had been him who threw it. No one could deny today was the day. Everything was perfect. Today had to be the day.
The old town had its big Christmas tree in the square. What a tree it was! Big beautiful pine brought by the very group of officers he belonged to. He had scouted the location himself, though he never went into the square to watch the decorating. It always made him happiest when he would walk past the tree and smile at its beauty when complete. Church bells rang in the distance and he knew that the old church was full like it always was. Today was the day after all, everything in the universe seemed to echo it.
The snow on his boots was perfect. If the sky had shattered into the finest grains of sand it could not have been more pure. He missed his horses, he usually would be home spoiling them with apples and sugar cubes. He couldn't help but spoil the things he loved. His dogs knew that too, and never let him forget it. Those little rascals knew exactly which buttons to push though they knew when their master needed them there was no time for play.
As he got closer to his destination, he started to feel his mortality return to him. His body felt again, and he no longer sailed on clouds as he did before. Subconsciously checking for imperfections his hands moved over his pressed uniform and coat making sure everything was in place. He felt the badges and sword inherited from his own grandfather. He knew this was what he bred to do. Everyone has a calling he was told and this was his. There was no joy in what he did. His body rejoiced at it being used and his mind and soul never tired from being used and abused through the life that they had to live. It was hard but it was his destiny. Nobility echoed through his veins and his blood warm with the dignity of compassion and honor so ingrained in him through every childhood lessons and tribulation under the guidance of those who carefully molded him.
He smoothed over the final crease in his jacket and looked at his watch. It was time. His pace slowed even further and his chest expanded filled with the crisp morning air. There was no room for error, no time for hesitation. Today was the day he made the move. Today was the day he would join in his destiny.
He crossed over the old city, the cobble stones and vendors everywhere each trying desperately to warm their lungs by making known their talents. He saw children playing in the snow, making imaginary wars and claiming themselves heroes. He smiled remembering his own days as a young one, making forts and planning attacks on all who dared challenge his might. The days when innocence wrapped her arms around him tightly never left his mind. Those were the days when everything was simple and it all made sense. His young adult life wasn't exactly the same, but those were thoughts for another day. Today was no day for Grey clouds! Today was the day!
He wondered how it would all begin. Where he would go when he saw. As much as the voices in his mind said it didn't matter he still wanted to have it smothered in the essence of perfection. That was always his character. His reputation mattered more than anything, and he wanted everything to be immaculate. The sun kissed his face reminding him that it was the last of his worries.
He slowed his gallop down to a walk, his heart still running. He looked around and decided to take his time instead. The cold made him feel fresh and the blue sky just filled his soul with glory. There would be time, and he'd use these minutes to center. Something was different about the old city today. She invited him to stay and watch. It was something he could never resist. Just as he started to hum he was ambushed by the very little devils he was admiring awhile ago.
He looked around after the snowball had hit him in the chest - they all went into hiding. No doubt scared, there he towered over them in his uniform and they didn't know what he would do. He picked up a snowball and hid it in his coat as he smiled. All of a sudden something hugged his leg from behind. It was his little niece. How he adored that child. Her three front teeth missing and yet she was prettier than any angel he could imagine. How could she not be...all the noble lines of their family ran through her and yet her delicate features were nothing like his own. Soft as a rose and twice as pretty she knew just how to ask him for whatever she wanted.
"Uncle, where you going?!" she exclaimed with that toothless smile. He couldn't help but wipe that serious look off his face. There was no way to fool that little one. He picked her up and tickled her till she cried of laughter. "That's what you get baby goat" he said as he set her down, she pouted and laughed as she ran back to her friends who heard her laugh and came out of hiding. He spied his eldest nephew and let him have the snow ball in the face knowing it had been him who threw it. No one could deny today was the day. Everything was perfect. Today had to be the day.
The old town had its big Christmas tree in the square. What a tree it was! Big beautiful pine brought by the very group of officers he belonged to. He had scouted the location himself, though he never went into the square to watch the decorating. It always made him happiest when he would walk past the tree and smile at its beauty when complete. Church bells rang in the distance and he knew that the old church was full like it always was. Today was the day after all, everything in the universe seemed to echo it.
The snow on his boots was perfect. If the sky had shattered into the finest grains of sand it could not have been more pure. He missed his horses, he usually would be home spoiling them with apples and sugar cubes. He couldn't help but spoil the things he loved. His dogs knew that too, and never let him forget it. Those little rascals knew exactly which buttons to push though they knew when their master needed them there was no time for play.
As he got closer to his destination, he started to feel his mortality return to him. His body felt again, and he no longer sailed on clouds as he did before. Subconsciously checking for imperfections his hands moved over his pressed uniform and coat making sure everything was in place. He felt the badges and sword inherited from his own grandfather. He knew this was what he bred to do. Everyone has a calling he was told and this was his. There was no joy in what he did. His body rejoiced at it being used and his mind and soul never tired from being used and abused through the life that they had to live. It was hard but it was his destiny. Nobility echoed through his veins and his blood warm with the dignity of compassion and honor so ingrained in him through every childhood lessons and tribulation under the guidance of those who carefully molded him.
He smoothed over the final crease in his jacket and looked at his watch. It was time. His pace slowed even further and his chest expanded filled with the crisp morning air. There was no room for error, no time for hesitation. Today was the day he made the move. Today was the day he would join in his destiny.
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