A Year has Passed

I begin in the name of the Most High, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

One year has passed since I started this blog and through its course I am continuously developing my inner personality. Giving voice to the written has helped me express myself in ways that help release one from all the burdens we carry around in our conscience. What started off as an avenue for expression that was built for the purpose of having something worthwhile to look forward to has become an integral part of me and how I give voice to what is inherent in me. Today is a much brighter day and from the clutches of feeling hopeless I am free. Express all that is in your heart and you will have your glimpse of freedom right on this material earth. I thank all who supported me in this effort, though my blog is humble you all made it into importance by your presence here.

I am thankful for the 1200 plus visits during this year and I think to myself with almost 3 visits a day there is no room for me to be ungrateful. My written voice has been heard, alhamdolilah (all praise be to God).

I wrote this poem to commemorate my blog’s anniversary. Read and comment if you so please as I gladly welcome them.

***

Everlasting Voice

One year has passed by swiftly,
As my written voice stands humbly,
To climb out of the grave of depression,
Took pen to paper in the form of expression,
I thank God above for all the inspiration,
In the hope for everlasting salvation,
My growth with thee is limitless,
As time sells deception to the faithless,
I mark this day with my words of gratitude,
As I constantly seek enlightenment from your sanctitude.
The pen shall write till the ink has run out,
The heart shall express without any doubt,
The mind shall endure to see another day,
The soul shall taste freedom along this way.

19th August 2009

***

Without forgetting we stand at the brink of yet another blessed month of Ramadhan and I take this time to wish all of you a most sacred and beneficial month of Fasting and Ibaadah inshaAllah khair…Ramadhan Kareem to all!



I now share with you an excerpt from the work of Maulana Jalal-ul-din Rumi on the month of Ramadhan

"There's a hidden sweetness,
In the stomach's emptiness,
We are all lutes, no more, no less,
If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music,
If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting,
Every moment a new song comes out of the fire,
The fog clears, and a new energy makes you run up the steps in front of you,
Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry,
Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen,
When you're full of food and drink,
Satan sits where your spirit should,
An ugly metal statue in place of the Ka'aba,
When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help,
Fasting is Soloman's ring,
Don't give it to some illusion and lose your power,
But even if you've lost all will and control,
They come back when you fast,
Like soldiers appearing out of the ground,
Pennants flying above them..."


Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

[Photography by: Asma Mirza

& Pink Sherbet Photography]

Shahr Ramadhan - Tamer Hosny

Much Ado About Quotes

Today is just another day spent in contemplation. I share with you these picture quotes that I think for the most part are a suubtle reminder for some and a warner for others. Do Enjoy!

"The most powerful tool you have is the power of your thoughts and you can invite a wonderful day with your charm and beauty. The whole world is waiting to respond to you with the best of everything. So launch your rocket of desires with affirmations and you will get what you want!" ~ Author unknown

"I have gathered a posie of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own." ~ John Bartlett (of Bartlett's Familar Quotations)

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Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Once More

Poetry that was expressed,
Insight addressed,
Read what was written,
Comment if befitting,
Gratitude is what I offer to thee,
Penned by yours truly.

***

Once More

Again I tell myself it will be over,
Still sanity escapes the sober,
A bearer of burden greater than strength,
Without given chance to relent,
The unbearable passage of time,
A necessary journey to the sublime,
To patiently await one’s fate,
I willingly abandon my present state,
To give it all up for a moment of release,
Yet moments eventually cease,
The heart again teased,
The burden never eased,
What is sight to the blind?
I open my eyes and still no peace to find,
The darkness envelops my entity,
I sacrifice my will to tranquillity,
Anger ravages at my door,
Against my conscious it tore,
Tears of anguish cry out for protection,
Granted only momentary silence and dejection,
Hope has eloped with deception,
Again fed to condemnation,
The heart sings its song of deprivation,
As tender emotion dies from starvation,
The shattered will never be whole,
Continuously the rabid demon seeks control,
I die a thousand deaths with each tear,
Eyes of harrow I shall forever wear.

23rd-July-2009

Photography by: Barbara Fritze

***

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Crazy Addictions

Pet Society

“You do anything long enough to escape the habit of living until the escape becomes the habit.” ~ Rocketman David Ryan

Strangely enough I have found myself increasingly addicted to a series of “Playfish” online games. Some of you may be familiar with them. They are “Pet Society” and “Restaurant City”. During these few days of summer vacation when the dull roll of the day comes almost to another boring standstill I began to log in to these games to pass some time. I genuinely do not spend much time on them sometimes up to an hour but I admit I do look forward to re-entering the virtual world of feeding pets and trading ingredients to get the newest recipe available at my restaurant.

It is absolutely alien to me to have this new addiction as I usually take things in a more ethical and time effective way. Yet I am contemplating which room should I re-decorate long after I have left the virtual realm of Pet Society. What started off as a preoccupation is becoming an addiction and I can’t help but chuckle to myself with this confession.
For the moment while the world still awaits many freedom fighters and heroes/heroines I can’t think of a better way to spend a free hour on the internet.

Of course, I can easily think of many other less productive means of passing that time. However it does not mean I have nothing to do when the day comes which is simply far from the truth. In the routine of things we need a hobby to help us re-invent ourselves and find joy in all the small things. My newest addiction is actually helping me look forward to the day and help me remain contented with all that exists. Long was the day when one would go to the bookshop to start reading, now I simply turn on my laptop and start playing Pet Society! Every time I say it, I want to burst into laughter as it seems less than trivial to do and even write about but I feel I must as it honestly is addictively cute lol

Enjoy your time wherever you may be and make the most of it!

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Restaurant City
***

What is that?

What is that?

"And your Lord has decreed that you do not worship anyone except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] 'uff' [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: 'My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'" [Quran 17:23 -24]

I recently came across a short Greek film that showed the true essence of reality as we easily forget that we were once helpless and to that same end we will return if we do live till old age. As I sat watching it, tears rolled down my cheeks and I felt as though something was erupting in my chest. It is easy to forget that we could not even walk on our own. As we gain independence we no longer need the comfort of a parent’s arms. In like manner can we begin to imagine how easily we forget all that our merciful and patient Rab (Lord) has done for us and continue to do for us even though we remain ungrateful. For all the times I myself was forgetful I cannot count and nor do I want to remember as it leaves me feeling hopelessly flawed. For the time that I have now, I hope to take the lesson learnt and make it habit…character, inshaAllah. I leave you now with the video that I promise you will be 4 minutes and 13 seconds well worth it!



"Respect is what we owe; love, what we give” ~ Philip James Bailey quotes (English Poet (Festus), 1816-1902)

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Threading on Life's Path

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

So many paths to choose from,
Determining our eternal outcome,
Standing at an unfamiliar cross-road,
Unable to find an ample abode,
Nothing remaining static,
Ever-changing, always dynamic,
In this world never a comfortable place,
Forever a traveler in this rat race,
Threading through our days cautiously,
Life continues its rhythm steadily,
To remain steadfast in the kingdom of the cruel,
Oppression and discrimination add to the fuel,
Suppressing our anger for another day,
At night our hearts pour out as we pray,
Everyday for peace of mind we strive,
Through your mercy the only way to survive,
Forever a battle over wrong and right,
Contemplating actions giving insight,
Constantly seeking upliftment,
Brief moments of contentment,
When will the sunset of our days come?
How long must we keep our feelings numb?
In my struggles, I search for enlightenment,
For myself, I beg refinement,
Grant guidance to the believer,
Under your wings of Rahma forever.

[2007]

***

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

[Photograpy by: Julio C.]

Just me

Just Me

“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

Each day passes in the constant construction and destruction of public figures which makes one wonder where does everyone else fall? Whether he did or did not, whether she said or didn’t say can’t pay my electricity bill at the end of the month but then again people are suckers for a good gossip. Maybe it’s just me but lately even the news is centred on personal matters that really should be left where they belong. One would think; I chance to foolishly assume that people do actually think; there are many more issues that deserve our attention and time yet these are left on the back burner because we allow others to choose what is and should be of importance to us.
I cannot see any sense in absorbing myself in such irrelevant babble that retards our ability to process thoughts and reason. We sit in front of the big black box, ehem I mean the slim flat screens and consume whatever is being said as the “holy word”. If we missed any updates we can then further ingest more articles and video clips from our friendly room-mate the ever famous Internet. The quality of information is not up for debate but the content is bound to be the source for the topics of tomorrow’s talk with just about anyone we meet.

When all of that is over, I still have that assignment to email by 12:00am or I face suspension from classes, he still has to wait in the doctor’s waiting area for five hours before getting attended to, she still hasn’t told him about what her parents said and surely you can easily see where I’m going with this. While the world waits with anticipation and suppressed breathing for another super power to determine what is worthwhile and what is not, I remain true to my own conscience.

One thing that keeps knocking on the door of my conscience is the recent incidents that have been occurring in Iran. I hardly know anything about it, just merely enough to form a skeleton of the incidents and I must admit it is because I refuse to be sensitised by the insensitive, dysfunctional media. So, what am I really babbling about? What I am about to say is just my own views and I do not claim to know it all or what is best, I just know what my conscience says.
It was and is an accepted fact that for some considerable amount of time the president of Iran or should I say the now “controversial” president of Iran was not on America’s or for that matter the World’s; somehow whatever America thinks is instrumental in determining what the World thinks; nice list. His audacity and popularity amongst his country men together with his continued research into radioactive power, was enough to hang him on the crosses of shame. The only thing I noticed about him, well besides him being a bit short or some may refer to his height as being a bit “vertically challenged”, was how he openly stood for what he decided was of importance to him. That to me was the characteristics of a brave man and of course maybe a “dead” man. I can think of a few who have been black-listed for their choice to be independent thinkers, why of course Mr. Chavez is only a twenty minute flight away. Then there is Mr. Castro but I am not here to discuss whether they are good or bad men, my topic is solely on one’s choice to think.

I do not know who is truly responsible for what is happening in Iran as there are many things that is determined “not” of public interest and therefore we are never made aware of. Before, the world didn’t like him but they just didn’t have quite enough reason to get rid of him without it turning into public outrage or scandal. Now, the world is ready to take up their pitch forks and torches to “annihilate” the threat to human safety. With all of this said I do sympathise with them as many have lost their lives and numerous have been injured.

However, doesn’t it make any of you at least wonder what is strange about these events? Well, I can speak for myself and logically it seems beyond coincidence. I am not “hating” just because you are “hating”. What of the cases of swine flu? To me this gets much less coverage because a panic-stricken world is not good for the mighty dollar. While important information is hushed we consume our time with the passing of the king of pop. With all due respect to him and his contributions to the music industry, his lifestyle and the details of his childhood isn’t going to benefit me in the least. If I recall correctly, this man was being accused of many indecencies and no one tried to defend him as the world black-listed him because it seemed appropriate to do so at the time. Today however, he is back on the good list. Again, I refuse to idolise who is made of importance by others. “Each day passes in the constant construction and destruction of public figures…”

I am a reflection of my own thinking and I choose to think!

Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue
***
I share these pictures not as an insult to those who have or are suffering from the consequences of such but as a sign that life continues and even when life throws lemons at you, we make lemonade. I humbly apologise if I have offended anyone.
“Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit.” ~ Author Unknown

Swine Flu Precautions

First Celebrity Swine Flu Death

LoL
***
[Photography by: Azli Jamil]

Let's go the Zoo!

“Life is a zoo in a jungle.” ~ Peter De Vries

In keeping with the theme of “summer” I share these pictures of my recent visit to Emperor Valley Zoo. I can clearly remember how many times I tried in vain to convince my family to accompany me as it’s probably been more than 10 years since my last visit. Finally one good Sunday in May, my cousin and I were discussing how we planned to make the most out of the summer and I brought up the brilliant plan of going to the Zoo. As fate would have it, the following Sunday we were on our way to the Zoo…Finally!!!
Enjoy!

“I've actually gone to the zoo and had monkeys shout to me from their cages, "I'm in here when you're walking around like that?"” ~ Robin Williams


Blogging with purpose,
Mariamlelue

Our Oppressed Plea

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

***

Our Oppressed Plea

Trespassers raid through our virgin Land,
In the face of terror we firmly stand,
The right to life confiscated,
Mountains of lies fabricated,
Justifying modern day genocide,
As we are made to witness daily homicide,
Another child ripped from his mother’s chest,
Our patience put to the ultimate test,
The demons spread their plague everywhere,
Life for us an ongoing nightmare,
Our blood flows more abundantly than water,
Nearby we hear the screams of our daughter,
A sound that will forever haunt,
Their actions and words sole purpose to taunt,
As everyday more of our lives fall,
This heart must withstand it all,
All that is sacred is degraded,
Our homes, Masjids and schools are all raided,
Ravaging through our chastity,
They are devoid of any pity,
Bitter tears wash our faces everyday,
Surely the murderers will have their price to pay,
Born into an atmosphere of enforced Jihad,
Our land is now a burial ground myriad,
From the very beginning oppressed,
With taking our lives they are obsessed,
Torments inflicted on us we feel,
From the palms of orphans they steal,
Snatching our lands for illegal occupation,
When will the day come for our emancipation?
Ya Rab help us defeat our enemy,
May Allah grant us an eternal victory.

Ameeen
[2007]

***

View all Get your own

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Mariamlelue

Summer Time

Summer Time

It’s summer time again…

“What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfilment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.” ~Gertrude Jekyll

It is truly impossible to prevent summer from blooming into all possibilities.
A time for renewal and growth;
A time for fresh beginnings and birth;
A time for outdoor leisure and idle freedom;
A time for crowded markets and perpetual boredom…
The sun shines abundantly throughout the year in the Caribbean but certainly during the summer period its intensity and vivaciousness are at its maximum as with all parts of the world. As children eagerly look forward to the freedom of eight (8) weeks their parents’ challenge is to keep their young ones under responsible supervision. It is the time of marked influx of “tan-seeking” tourists as they flood to the streets of our bargaining centres and unto the shores of beaches.

Summer time is a culture of the Caribbean that no native can escape from. I for one welcome this time with open embrace as it signals the end to a demanding and stress-riddled academic year. To savour every moment of temporary freedom and relaxation as the days go by on its idle course. Just when the blossoming “Poui” trees begin to peak and shed its flowers you can smell the ripened, sweetly fragrant air and if you listen carefully you can hear the earth rejoicing.

“A life without love is like a year without summer.” ~Swedish Proverb

The return of travelling fairs and amusement parks accompanied with the availability of cotton candy and snow cone vendors. There comes with it an increase indulgence in all the lighter things in life; food, movies, clothes and travel. Although summer events may come with a price it usually means more family time.

Enjoy this time while it lasts because as soon as it goes, life speeds up to make up for the idle time gifted. Visit all those family members and close friends that time could not afford during the rush of the previous months. Make it a time of happiness and unity for all those you hold dear so that their expectation of future summers serves as a comfort for the more challenging days. Reverse the effect of time and experience the joys of childhood and youth in this time of summer as it cannot distinguish between the faces of age.

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If cherries are the perfect topping to any pie then it would only be befitting that I end with these magnificent pictures of the "tube".

photography by: Clark Little

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A special 감사합니다, gahm-sah-hahm-ni-da to the reader from Tukpyolsi, Seoul

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