The Song of the Heart

A poet's bequest,
Read and comment; my humble request,
Gratitude is what I offer to thee,
Penned by yours truly.

The Song of the Heart

Winds sing to the deaf a song never heard before,
Fantasy emanating through lore,
Softly enhancing the imagination,
Lifting the senses to creation,
Words flowing smoothly to the rhythm of the heart,
Weaving a fanciful matrix of compounded art,
A joy yet to be pronounced,
A feeling yet to be announced,
A beauty yet to be recognised,
A privilege yet to be rejoiced,
A body sensing its soul,
Once separated senses its whole,
Fragrance melting with the voice of the nightingale,
Continuing to satisfy, never will it fail,
Giving without expectation,
Birth without destruction,
Beauty without adulteration,
Silence without provocation,
Bounty without starvation,
Voices join in chorus yet there is only silence,
A silence that is never penance,
In every hour of life,
In the struggle through strife,
Everlasting contentment envelops entirely,
Fears cast aside completely,
The bride wilfully accepts the proposal,
A beginning to propagate renewal,
As the song continues to revive the lost,
Immortal beauty will never exhaust.

07-March-2008

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Inner Reflections

Inner Reflections

“We are what we think.
All that we are, arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make our world.” ~ Buddha

To voice that which words can never truly express is challenging indeed. However, I am about to undertake this endeavour, simply because these feelings exist. Thus here begins an attempt to voice my inner reflections…

Nights have besieged days as the sun no longer brings with it warmth or renewal of will but just the inevitable passage of time. A passage indeed not riddled with fantasy or hope but one to be endured with a patient heart...yearning; the air is stifling. Closing in are the perimeters as the limits manifest themselves more distinctly. Not for the faint of heart I surmise as I can feel my chest tightening; a burden too deep to heal. Now upon the doors of hope I await. I knock, there is no answer and in the interim between the passing shifts of anxiety I sincerely hope, that hope shall finally answer and allow my entry into its fortified castle.
A feeling so invasive it transcends all emotion, every living fibre of my being, rapidly infecting…irreversibly infecting. Life carries on, in its constant winding of undertaking tasks at hand or those that seem the most demanding of attention. In the existential routine of day to day, preoccupation camouflages the obvious. Its ability to intoxicate; focussing one’s energy on frivolity as there comes with it no heavy price that demands payment from the intellect. A battle of the conscience seemingly never ends but if willed it can become as passive as breathing or dreaming… a superficial talent to disguise the depth of logic and reason.
I begin to feel light-headed in the frenzy to inhale nourishment of the mind; still there is no peace to find. An outward artist masks the inner slave, and no one is the wiser. I breathe in deeper and for longer periods yet my heart remains deprived and my chest is tightening all the more. As I listen closely I can hear the beast at work; constantly gnawing, nibbling, clawing it’s way deeper into the thresholds of my sanity. With an abated breath I have spent these days that no longer seem recent but now gradually transforming into lifestyle. When will I breathe again? A sports addict is held captive to the emotion of the last minutes of the game in dying support for their team of choice, right down to the final whistle; time goes on minute after minute in which I spend in similar deliberation.
I seek comfort in all its forms not due to materialistic need but due to spiritual demand. In the smile of an innocent without question and expectance it is simply given yet it becomes the centre of my universe; the revolution of my world. I feed hungrily and unsparingly on anything deemed positive or made out to be so in my clairvoyant eyes. Though this may seem a mental delirium that may pass with the effect of time I cannot agree to such as it would suggest I am in a state of illusion to which is the opposite of my reality; indeed it is because I see and accept things for what they truly are that has caused me all this mental endowment, that has come with its price of restlessness. It is this morbid sense of reality that plagues my sense of being. A tragedy of fates it seems that I may continue to be consumed with disenchantment and the veil of sight is forever lifted.
Everyday, institutions regulate new sets of laws and derivatives that are flawed only because they are swayed by the sensations of man’s imperfection of conscience. I cannot extract any freedom from an enslaved intellect but I will engage in discourse to exact this freedom. For on my own I attest my faults are too apparent and my intellect too limited to conjure a definite resolve. I am but a slave to emotion that is abundantly overwhelming and pours over into my existence. If sensation conceives perception I cannot argue that my perceptions are any different but in isolation it is not for my mental capacity is seldom unused. I seek an agreeable end to this mental suffering and a continuation of inward growth and spiritual freedom. The epitome of my turmoil still gnaws away. Distinguishing need from want is natural to this disposition and as much as it wrecks havoc on inward solace, it reveals that which feeds my intellectual freedom and personal contentment; therein lies my 'chateau des fleurs'. Signed here by yours truly and faithfully, my conscience…



“He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave” ~ William Drummond

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Beauty Unseen

"Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears." ~ Edgar Allen Poe~

The beauty that is seldom seen often makes one oblivious to its existence. To ensure reality does not morph into disbelief we should keep reminding ourselves of all unseen beauty. I would like to focus on one such beauty that is currently being plundered and confiscated. It is sad indeed that we can only appreciate such beauty in lifeless pictures, for many of the scenes that you will see herein are only a memory of what once was. Nevertheless, I thought it valuable to share this beauty with you. What beauty am I speaking of? It is the sacred beauty of Palestine...

"Keep your faith in all beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone." ~Roy R. Gilson ~

~*~Beauty Unseen~*~




































~*~

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"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." ~ Kahlil Gibran~

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." ~Hellen Keller ~

"Let the beauty we love be what we do." ~Rumi ~

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue


Shadia Mansour - Tribute to Mahmoud Darwish

Freedom From these Prison Walls...

A poet's bequest,
Read and comment; my humble request,
Gratitude is what I offer to thee,
Penned by yours truly.

Freedom From these Prison Walls

The mute witness all the events that take place,
The anger soars colouring the face,
Words are made into the most fatal weapons,
Where are the angels to fight these Demons?
The heart can no longer bear the weight,
With overflowing tears it seals its fate,
Crumbling as the memories replay in the mind,
The soul searches but still no peace to find,
Ringing in the ears it constantly replays,
Desperately seeking freedom from it always,
A pattern of habitual actions being displayed,
Continuously repeated upon its victim it is laid,
Until there reaches a point where ….
The soul starts to doubt if it ever was self-righteous,
Was it closer to evil and further from being pious?
Are all these actions of upliftment in vain?
On whom should the blame fall for all this pain?
Then going into a dark and lonely place,
Longing for a supporting embrace,
When the thought of all is lost just appears,
Little things occur that attempts to discard all fears,
As new tears fall, an unseen force mends the broken,
Only the heart can understand and once again it is awakened,
What was about to be lost is now found,
Renewed in faith and once again whole and sound,
The worth of everything is made clear,
Much of it, now seems worthless and bare,
Only God is of importance in this cruel kingdom,
A believers’ prison longing for freedom,
Make our faces full of light,
In your presence give us sight,
Do not ever forsake us,
Forever bless and keep us.

(2007)

************
Blogging with purpose,

Mariamlelue

Kulna Ghazza

Kulna Ghazza

My first blog post for the year 2009 is dedicated to Falesteen…


La Hawla wa La Quwatta Illah Billah ~ There is no power or might except from God

These past days have left me feeling desolate and helpless. Today is the 10th day of the recent upsurge of aggression on the Palestinians. As I turn on the news channel or read an article my emotions run high and I cannot understand why a ceasefire hasn’t been put into effect till date. It’s almost two (2) weeks, since it started and yet the aggression is increasing in intensity and frequency. I cannot turn off my feelings with the touch of a remote control and I feel obliged to help in whatever way I can. Of what help can I be? Though it seems useless as all I can do is watch, my conscience does not permit me to lay back and leave slander to prevail or actions of the innocent undefended. It is the least that I can do from where I am but my heart is with Gaza…I take my heart and throw with you.

This recent siege reminds me of the US led war in Iraq to which Iraqis still remain crippled, with more than a million dead. It seems this sort of bullying at the cost of lives is common in history. I can think of many other instances, just recently the Russians were forcing an entry into Georgia and what of the Native Americans of North America; they still remain in “reserves” to this date.
However there was one particular siege that remains to this day an admirable achievement. The conquest of Makkah, where 10,000 muslims strong marched unto the streets of Makkah after being persecuted for years in unimaginable ways. The Makkans cowered in their houses expecting the inevitable as people tend to judge and expect others to act by their own standards. It would be known as the single ever siege that had not even one drop of blood. The Makkans were all pardoned and allowed to stay in Makkah with all of their belongings.

As for the siege that we are witnessing now, the same can definitely not be said. Within minutes into the ground offensive in Gaza, the death rate escalated. What I cannot stomach is how many people remain ignorant to the reality of the crisis. Some are justifying the Israeli’s actions as one “target specific” in retaliation to acts of terrorism from the Hamas on their own population. They say its defence. Which brings me to another point, I don’t think much people know what defence means anymore. I will take this opportunity to re-educate some…
defence
(US defense)
• noun 1- the action of defending from or resisting attack.
Then may I now ask, how can you call this defence? The Israeli’s say they are defending their population against years of random terrorist acts by the Palestinians and what of the attacks on the Palestinian population. A terror act is definitely an atrocious act and I do not condone such no matter who is carrying it out. However in isolation, it cannot be viewed as an eminent attack (i.e. in succession) that requires such defensive action and therefore cannot justify the present Israeli actions. How are the actions of the Israel going to bring back peace and stability? The greater question should be what are their intentions because certainly it is not to the benefit of the palestinian people. It is now 60 years and counting and Israel is still defending? This is open aggression in the offensive, in a bid as they say to eradicate the “threat”. The “threat” seems to include children under the age of 15 which is by the way 45 % of the total population of Palestinians. There are 1.5 million Palestinians concentrated in Gaza which was the last place of refuge for them in what was once their home. Now tell me how accurate and precise can the Israeli intelligence and their rockets be? Yet there are many who can’t seem to understand what is going on and swallow everything they are told, like a food manic after being unable to eat for some hours. Here is an analogy that I hope will make things a bit clearer…
“Don’t judge a person until you can walk in their shoes”


Put yourself in their shoes for a moment…
You are an average Palestinian with a family of 5, three children and a spouse who mean the world to you. You were evicted from your home where generations of your family have lived for and now forced to live in a refugee camp. You’ve lost a lot of loved ones during the years. There has been years upon years of fighting and terror groups attacking both Palestinians and Israelis. One such group, has allegedly fired a rocket into Israel wounding civilians. You sympathise their loss and you fear the worse in retaliation. Your expectations are proved right and now you are being fired upon by the Israeli army in its full force.
Now you are viewed as responsible for terror attacks by some ignorant people around the world, since people of your nationality have carried them out.
Is this truly a war against terror? To me it seems like genocide.

If this still fails to bring it home to you then at least I tried in my humble attempt.

Overcrowded hospitals, insufficient staff, medical supplies and accommodations with a continuous pouring-in of new casualties, is any doctors worst nightmare. Even in this desperate need for help, some countries are refusing to allow the wounded treatment and the Israelis have enforced a blockade. I have just read a comment from a certain individual that seems to think there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza and their hospitals are well stocked with medical supplies and the people have way more than enough to eat… :) Please educate yourself I beg of you!
People are dying as we speak at least we can all unite in a common prayer for peace and stop the epidemic of ignorance.
Join the cause for Peace and Ceasefire and let the violence end. I do believe people still have the right to Life, don’t you?

Blogging with Purpose,
Mariamlelue

Youtubers Against the Gaza massacre

External Links:
Updates from Hatem, a palestinian -
Read his diary from Gaza posted on BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7802295.stm
Watch Hatem's Video live from Gaza:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7810290.stm

More info:
http://www.hahmed.com/blog/2009/01/04/humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/
http://muslimmatters.org/2009/01/04/action-gaza-can-we-spare-60-minutes-can-we-walk-the-talk/
http://sabbah.biz/mt/
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-38459.html
http://fromgaza.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/palestinejustice
http://ahmedbedier.blogspot.com/
http://www.urgence-gaza.com/
U.N. confirms 30 die in Israeli strike near Gaza school:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28404637/
Venezuela expels Israeli Ambassador Shlomo Cohen and other Israeli Diplomats:
http://www.aztlan.net/venezuela_expels_jews.htm
Avi Shlaim: How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel-palestine
CNN Confirms Israel Broke Ceasefire First:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4&e

Sign the petitions:
http://petition.cair.com/
http://www.petitiononline.com/gaza2812/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/938380652?z00m=18948122
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/97.php?cl_tf_sign=1
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/37?m=464521fc
Creation of a Special Tribunal to try Israeli War Criminals: http://www.petitiononline.com/EAFORD09/petition.html
Vote for Gaza:

http://www.israel-vs-palestine.com/
For Uncensored Media Coverage:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=80443&sectionid=351020202
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/

Year In Review

One year has gone and another is about to begin. The year of 2008 has brought with it moments of grief, an eminent sense of “hard times” ahead and brief glimpses at hope and achievement. Personally, this year has brought with it much more trials and I hope for brighter days in 2009.
Many crises began and are ongoing without a predictable end. It seems wars can only be started by our leaders of today; there is no sense of justification anymore. There are no visible efforts by any to promote resolution to conflicts and peace negotiations have become a tool of propaganda. No one expects anything positive to come out of these meetings as they sit on their lofty chairs discussing “world events” as they are happening. Who is ethically responsible? Who will be morally empowered enough to take responsibility? The answer is obvious in each scenario. Needless to say we are all awaiting someone to fulfill the role of the latter.
The year remembered as, “Yes WE can!”, but what we can and cannot do is not of importance in these crucial days. What WE MUST do is the challenge that everyone has chosen to overlook, well at least those of power and influence have chosen to do so.
It was just days ago the world witnessed yet another present day massacre and all the masses can do is stage protests and sign petitions that fall on deaf ears. Who is the Israeli Prime Minister to reject a proposal for a 48-hour humanitarian truce in Gaza? This man has the power to save lives yet he has publicly chosen not to.
“An eye for an eye will leave everyone blind”. The crisis continues in the Middle East…
While they remain blind, I chose to see even if this sight has an ultimate price. Who amongst us is brave enough to end resentment and revenge? Even for the cowards where will they cower to? Conflict is inescapable and crime is rampant.
“They” warn of creating dependency on “AID” but one must agree in order to build there must be a few essentials, the right to food, shelter, safety, education, in fact in most cases it goes as basic as the right to life! Until these are not met how can you expect anything other than hands outstretched for relief? The crisis continues in Africa…
The world faces yet another challenge, global financial crisis as thousands are finding it increasingly difficult to remain employed. As stock markets fall and fail miserably, deaths due to conflicts, war, disease and crime rise continuously and consistently. The cost of food has risen so sharply and abruptly it raises many questions ands doubts on the reason for this level of inflation. Is it in a bid to secure “rich” nations from losing momentum as the poor become poorer and the rich become richer?
There is still a far greater challenge ahead of us, and every single one of us has a part to play if we wish to continue the race of man on earth. We are destroying the very earth that supports our living and the global climate changes that we are witnessing are as a direct result of our own actions. This year has also seen an increase in natural disasters but what of years to come?...
One highlight of this year was the successful hosting of the Olympics in Beijing. The Caribbean region were made proud of their Jamaican son and records we smashed at the indoor pool arena where I chose to believe man began to morph into fish… lol
This is how I choose to see the world I live in. I am alot of things but one thing is for certain I am not blind. I am but a spectator with the choice to see and an opportunity to write. I thank you all for reading and I leave you now with a “World in Review" picture story…
A picture tells a thousand words or so they say :) …
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On the fifth day of the Gaza conflict, Israeli air strikes destroyed the offices of the head of Hamas in Gaza
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senator Barack Obama began the year on the campaign trail, 12 months later he was president elect of the United States of America.
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In the Rift Valley town of Nakuru, Kenya, political and ethnic violence in the wake of a disputed presidential election left at least 10 people dead and hundreds injured.
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More than 55,000 people are known to have died in an earthquake that struck south-west China on 12 May. This woman was searching for her daughter and husband in Beichuan.
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Palestinian protesters take cover as they get caught in a barrage of tear gas canisters fired by Israeli troops during a demonstration in the West Bank village of Nilin, near Modin.
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Rising food prices made basic staples like rice, corn and cooking oil unaffordable for many people all over the world. Fears of a global food shortage saw some rioting and unrest. Here in Lahore, Pakistan, people struggle in an attempt to get bread.
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The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games saw more than 10,000 athletes compete for nearly 1,000 medals. Two names stood out, sprinter Usain Bolt who claimed three world records and swimmer Michael Phelps who won a staggering eight gold medals in the pool.
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Thousands of civilians were caught up in fighting in and around South Ossetia, which began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake the region by force after a series of lower-level clashes with Russian-backed rebels.
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Four children died and more than 50,000 were made ill by contaminated milk powder in China. The problem was revealed when milk powder from the Sanlu Group was found to contain melamine, an industrial chemical. But the problem spread as other companies become involved.
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A global crisis in the world’s financial markets led to huge losses on stock exchanges, cuts in interest rates and massive government bailouts to keep some banks afloat.
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US Republican Senator John McCain pulls a face having turned the wrong way to leave the stage after shaking hands with Obama at the end of the final presidential debate in New York.
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An estimated 250,000 civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo fled their homes and are living in desperate conditions following an outbreak of violence in the eastern part of the country.
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Extensive Flooding in England
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Dedicated to Palestine...

Naci En Palestina - Amel Mathlouthi

All the Best for the year 2009/ 1430 AH
Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

External Links: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/in_pictures_year_in_pictures_2008/html/1.stm]