In the early dawn of happiness
you gave me three kisses
so that I would wake up
to this moment of love
I tried to remember in my heart
what I’d dreamt about
during the night
before I became aware
of this moving
of life
I found my dreams
but the moon took me away
It lifted me up to the firmament
and suspended me there
I saw how my heart had fallen
on your path
singing a song
Between my love and my heart
things were happening which
slowly slowly
made me recall everything
You amuse me with your touch
although I can’t see your hands.
You have kissed me with tenderness
although I haven’t seen your lips
You are hidden from me.
But it is you who keeps me alive
Perhaps the time will come
when you will tire of kisses
I shall be happy
even for insults from you
I only ask that you
keep some attention on me.
Filed under: Afghanistan, books | Tags: Afghanistan, books, caravans, fiction, james a. michener
I just finished reading Caravans by James A. Michener, and I am convinced that every Afghan or anyone interested in Afghanistan should read the book. Having grown up abroad, my understanding of Afghanistan probably has its’ limitations. Most young people of afghan parents seem to have a romanticized picture of Afghanistan, its people and the culture. I have just the recent years realized that I know very little about Afghanistan’s past and its’ complexity.
Recent books written on Afghanistan also give a very limited understanding of this complex country that is some what cursed by its location. It’s a known fact that it’s extremely important to understand your past, to be able to handle your future. Keeping in mind Afghanistan’s past, it becomes easier to understand why Afghans today don’t trust whatever they see happening, because judging from the past, it could all be gone the next day. In a country like this, it’s a challenge to make people look forward and trust the changes. Depending on a system that might be gone or change the next day, requires strong faith in reform, which few people in Afghanistan have the luxury of having.
Having gone a little off-topic, I can share that the book is an easy read and has gotten great reviews from newspapers like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday and others.
Wall Street Journal wrote on July 5 ‘08:
This novel from early in James Michener’s career is the fruit of wide-ranging trips to Afghanistan in the mid- 1950’s. Despite the contrived plot, “Caravans” has more to teach about the country and its people than almost any later work of fiction or travel writing. Michener gets everything right, from pronunciation of Kabul- “cobble”- to the archeology. The protagonist, and American diplomat, travels across a large areas of the country in 1946, some of the time with nomads, observing the beginnings of modernization, but also a public execution and mullahs spitting on those they disapprove of- a portent of the violent extremism in Afghanistan’s future.
Filed under: Poetry, Random thoughts, sufism | Tags: hafez, never say it is not God, Poetry, Random thoughts
There is so much to do, so much I want to do. But I am exhausted.
I woke up long before dawn everyday this week and I am still trying to adjust.
Is this growing up and being responsible? Cause I don’t like it! I miss my student days where I could chose to drop classes if I felt like it and sleep untill noon (or at least 8 am!), exercise, meet friends,
having delicious chai or tiramisu caffè lattes , walking through the botanical garden or just feeling happy about my new Chanel nail polish! Now I can’t even have long nails or paint them with those provocative shades. I know I am whining, and things will probably get better, after all, it takes time to adjust to a new work place. Not to forget the fact that I might be glorifying my student days, forgetting the nervousness before exams or early mornings sitting at board meetings, almost falling asleep.
But that is not the only problem; I miss the city aswell! I miss the energy, the crowds, the atmosphere.
I am not going to say more about that, I am too tired and I want my chai which I haven’t had all week because I had to
go to bed early. And I didn’t win tickets to the CNN interview with Obama the day he will be accepting the Nobel peace prize. I like Obama, not because of the hype, but because I love who he is after reading his book “Dreams from my father”, even before I knew he was a potential president candidate (I probably should have known, but I blame it on the fact that I was in Japan at the moment and didn’t have access too english media;)
That was a distraction, back to the chai/tea and some lovely poetry which is desperately needed by this hungry soul!;)
NEVER SAY IT IS NOT GOD
I taste what you taste. I know the kind of lyrics your
Soul most likes. I know which sounds will become
Resplendent in your mind and bring such pleasure
Your feet will jump and whirl.
When anything touches or enters your body
Never say it is not God, for He is
Just trying to get close.
I have no use for divine patience — my lips are always
Burning and everywhere. I am running from every corner
Of this world and sky wanting to kiss you;
I am every particle of dust and wheat — you and I
Are ground from His Own Body. I am rioting at your door;
I am spinning in midair like golden falling leaves
Trying to win your glance.
I am sweetly rolling against your walls and shores
All night, even though you are asleep. I am singing from
The mouths of animals and birds honoring our
beloved’s promise and need: to let
you know the Truth.
My dear, when anything touches or enters your body
Never say it is not God, for He and I are
Just trying to get close to you.
God and I are rushing
From every corner of existence, needing to say,
“We are yours.”
Hafez
Filed under: Humour | Tags: copenhagen, Humour, photos, road signs, signspotting, traffic signs
This summer there was a Signspotting exhibition in Copenhagen, in the middle of one of the city squares where they had lots of signs from around the world on display for people to see. I thought they were quite funny, so I took a couple of random pictures, and decided that it would be fun to share them:)
Filed under: Poetry, Random thoughts, sufism | Tags: Ineffectivenes, Inspiration, let them sleep, Poetry, rumi, zenhabits
I was at this blog today, and a guy had written something in the direction of “whenever I have something important to do, I write a blog post instead”.
I found that hilarious, and very relatable. Right now I am supposed to be reading up on psychiatry ,so I can be prepared for starting at a new workplace on Monday (inshaAllah), but instead I have the need to write something. It’s almost as if I need to get all unnecessary thoughts out of my system , so I can be able to concentrate (I imagine whoever is reading this must think they’re wasting their time by now).
I did this all summer when I was writing my masters thesis; when I sat by my computer to write, I somehow ended up surfing the internet. I finally managed to finish it because I was on vacation on the italian countryside with no access to the internet and lots of free time to think and be productive. Followed by the Ramadan month when I got home, I found concentration in the holy month as well, and thanked God for the timing.
I never seem to learn, but I’ve decided that I am going to start studying as I finish this post!
Not long ago I wanted to start living by philosophy that Leo presents at Zenhabits ; waking up early, being effective, non-materialistic, healthy ,having peace of mind etc
I find the philosophy very close to the spiritual part of Islam, and wanted to implement it in my life. What has been holding me back is the fact that I will have to start waking up at 6 am soon because of work, so why not wait a while and enjoy the few days I have left where I can stay up late and sleep until noon;) (I feel like a slob as I write this)
Since this post turned out to be complaining on my part , I feel the need to share an inspirational poem by Rumi that always motivates me to become better!
Let them sleep
Those who don’t feel this Love
pulling them like a river,
those who don’t drink dawn
like a cup of spring water
or take in sunset like supper,
those who don’t want to change,
let them sleep.
This Love is beyond the study of theology,
that old trickery and hypocrisy.
I you want to improve your mind that way,
sleep on.
I’ve given up on my brain.
I’ve torn the cloth to shreds
and thrown it away.
If you’re not completely naked,
wrap your beautiful robe of words
around you,
and sleep.
Filed under: Music, Random thoughts | Tags: house, lady, modjo, Music, nostalgia
Nostalgia has struck me,just this moment.
I didn’t expect it, but it showed up out of nowhere.
Taking me back to the days when moments like these were precious,
and expectations were so very high.
Grown up minds seem to know more and dream less,reality struck we see limitations in every form.
Past determination has left traces,aswell as past failures have made us set a standard of who we are and can become.
But what I dreamt for myself has changed, realizing the fact that hardships make us. Rather than hoping of comfort I hope to be made.
ps. I have been looking for the above song for a long time now,I had forgotten the name of it.
I used to and still LOVE it!
Filed under: Poetry, sufism | Tags: abdul-rahman jami, alexanders' book of wisdom, chain of gold, Haft awrang, jami, layli majnun, love stories, peroam poetry, poems, Poetry, rosary of the pious, salaman and absal, seven thrones, the gift of the free, yousef and zulaikha
The link below is an amazing site that allows you to take a journey into the Haft Awrang by the persian poet Abdul-Rahman Jami(d.1492), both with pictures, music and text.
The Haft Awrang by Abdul-Rahman Jami
Filed under: Music | Tags: classics, Immortal technique, Music, rap, you never know
I love the song below.
He is amazingly talented, I love the straightforwardness in his music.
Filed under: Afghanistan, Music, Poetry | Tags: afghan music, Afghanistan, Ahmad Wali, Beltoon, candle-like, classic, Music, Pashtu, passions, persian art, persian poetry, poems, rumi, shams-e Tabriz, sufism
My favourite Pashtu song. It’s by Ahmad Wali and recorded in 1977, and I have been in love with it since my childhood days. I will reveal that I also had a major crush on him, and if he still looked like this today, I would probably want to marry him ;-) I’ve decided to share a poem aswell in this post. The poem below is by Rumi and one of my many favourites, what the video and poem have in common;
The Passion.
Light
Like a candle I shine, reflecting the light
Turn my fortune so I can shed myself candle-like
The promise of the morning breeze, of joining Thee day and night
Burning, yellow, shaking, crying and humble, candle-like.
Thy flowing hair, like scissors sheer my soul at its height
In this fire of separation burn me no more, candle-like.
Pearls overflowing from the sea of my eye, fill my bosom in delight
My burning heart sent its flames blazing upward, candle-like.
Solar flares set in the celestial lantern, sooth the sight
Every morning dam my tears and shed no more, candle-like.
Thy face is spring like, thy fire sorrows fight
How long burn in this solstice of separation, candle-like?
From the memory of thy light, every night flames take flight
If only my heart fire would burn, my soul desire candle-like.
How long burn thyself Shams-e Tabrizi, thy love beaming bright
We know of nothing other than burning up, candle-like.
