Simona Ionescu

Michael S. Hart Went to God

2011-09-10T01:20:00.000+03:00

My best friend died Tuesday, September 6th, in his home in Urbana, IL. He went secretly, gracefully, hoping the world will understand his dream and continue to work to provide free access to books and culture around the globe. He dedicated his life to this cause. He worked to exhaustion to produce each and every eBook, so that we could read it at no cost. Often the legal hassle made him tired and disappointed, but he never gave up. His dream was to reach a billion eBooks, a huge library that could be carried around in one's pocket.

Here's the obituary his close friend, Greg, wrote:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Michael_S._Hart

I have never thought I would be in a position to write about Michael at past tense. He was larger than life, a personality that didn't fill a room, but an auditorium. His intelligence was overwhelming at times, as he couldn't ¨allow¨ the other person to be less. He pushed you and inspired you to be the best you could be. A perfectionist all his life, he battled that in order to be more time-efficient. He was creative and funny, full of life, full of love for the entire world, and Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes were two of his favorite characters that always made him smile.

Up and ¨atom¨! (Michael said)

He will be loved and remembered by all those whom he's helped and taught, whose lives he's changed. And there are many.

May you rest in peace, Michael! We love you dearly.

¨Learn to live
Live to learn...¨

In ochii multimii

2011-01-19T04:06:00.001+02:00

In usa unei biserici, la sfarsitul slujbei de dimineata, in marea de oameni ce se revarsa inafara unduind, impleticindu-se, incurcandu-se, osciland, o silueta face nota discordanta in peisaj. Trupul tanar, inalt, uscativ, hainele vechi dar curate, pantalonii cam scurti dezvelind partial fluierele picioarelor. Parul bogat, putin buclat, ciufulit in bataia vantului rece, de iarna. Iar ochii, o intreaga lume cuprinzand in ei, privesc curat, luminos, cu multa pace si atat de adanc, fara sa clipeasca. De atunci ma intreb cine este cel care a putut sa ma priveasca asa.

Pavaza gurii

2011-01-19T03:44:00.002+02:00

Astazi am descoperit ca unul dintre cele mai grele lucruri este sa taci: atat pentru cel care are ceva de spus si nu poate vorbi, cat si pentru cel care nu are nimic de spus si totusi vorbeste necontenit.

economia cuvantului

2010-06-13T18:17:00.001+03:00

da si nu

de dor

2010-06-12T22:26:00.001+03:00

daca ai sta macar o zi
ar insemna sa-mi dai o alta suflare
si care e omul acela care sa merite
atatea inceputuri

nu as sti cum sa te privesc
ca sa nu te tulbur
cu intrebarile si exclamarile mele prelungite in ochi

nu as gasi nici o alta cale
decat sa ma inalt in zbor spre tine si sa te narui
in secunda firii celei de foc

si nu as sti apoi
cum sa mai intampin zorii
daca tu vei voi sa le schimbi culorile
macar o zi

daruri

2010-06-12T22:10:00.001+03:00

a femeii e razvratirea frunzei
pentru jerfta florii
si inchipuirea fructului cazut
printre maracini
a barbatului e poteca luminata
spre altarul slujirii
unde lacrimile tamaduiesc in taina
picioarele care calca in spini

minuni

2010-06-12T18:58:00.001+03:00

noaptea, din cer, mai coboara cate o minune
cand nu o vede nimeni
tacuta si modesta
se prelinge usor de pe varful unei aripi
pe o frunza
apoi pe o floare
si aceasta incepe sa miroase atat de frumos
incat umple narile orasului
care, somnoros, in zori,
alearga pe roti cu ferestrele inchise
intrebandu-se de unde atata parfum de viata
si cum de intra totusi pana la ei

poem complicat de simplu

2010-06-12T18:55:00.001+03:00

daca tot ceea ce mi se cere e sa iubesc
atunci ar trebui sa nu sorb niciodata zorile singura
sa astern perna si pentru inger
ca sa se cufunde intre gandurile mele
si sa le netezeasca
caci noduroase ca niste copaci batrani
acopera uneori stelele si nu mai vad
mai sus de raze
locul unde nu mai este nici o culoare
ci toate culorile promisiunii
care se odihnesc pe umerii neplecati ai firii
celei cu pace

iar durerile sa nu le departez de simturi
ci sa le absorb pana in mijlocul inimii
de unde sa urce la frunte si s-o intelepteasca
ca pe frunze
care stau atarnate de ramuri intre soare, noapte si vant
invatand ca anotimpul lor sa cada n-a venit
si orice ploaie o asteapta cu infiorarea iubirii

sa astern carare lina pentru om, pentru inger
pentru ingerul din om care plange
atunci cand nu este iubit

Ninge cu Steaua lui David

2010-01-23T11:49:00.014+02:00

Fotografii ale fulgilor de nea facute de Wilson Alwyn "Fulgul" Bentley (1865 – 1931):

"Ninge peste noi cu iubire" nu mai este nici licenta poetica, nici idealism, ci un adevar probat stiintific. Iubirea si pacea lui Dumnezeu sa ne atinga chipurile, sa ne spele fruntile de toate grijile si bolile zilei!

Vin examenele

2010-01-17T20:31:00.005+02:00

Vin examenele finale. Toata omenirea e intr-o clasa in care e cam inghesuiala, nu prea mai e aer, celor prea bine imbracati le este cald, celor care abia au ce sa puna pe ei le este frig. Elevii nu se mai aseaza la locurile harazite lor: unii impunatori stau in primele randuri, iar cei din ultimele banci nu mai reusesc sa vada la tabla. Abia daca mai aud vocea profesorului; in plus, cei din fata vorbesc mereu la telefoanele mobile, scot din buzunare tot felul de aparate sofisticate de pe care citesc nu stiu ce carti cu scris marunt. Unii fac niste exercitii de respiratie, si apoi raman cu privirea pironita intr-un punct sau isi lasa pleoapele sa le sigileze ochii si par dusi in alte locuri. La ora mesei scot din genti niste mancaruri ciudate, pe care le pastreaza in recipiente de plastic. Pe fiecare recipient este lipita o lista lunga cu nume de substante, iar la final un calcul matematic care socoteste, se pare, cam cata energie se afla in acea mancare. In functie de calculul de pe foaie, elevul gusta din mancare si apoi o spala cu gaturi largi de ceaiuri amare, de mai multe feluri. Altii isi aduc pachete voluminoase cu mancaruri calde si mirositoare, pline de sosuri care curg pe toate partile. Iar altii nu mananca mai nimic; ba abia daca beau apa.

Elevii nu vorbesc unul cu altul, fapt care nu pare sa-i deranjeze decat pe cei din ultimele banci, care tare si-ar dori sa aiba un prieten care sa le sopteasca din cand in cand ce mai zice profesorul. Neprietenosii invoca drept motiv al tacerii lor faptul ca nu vorbesc aceeasi limba dar, sa fim seriosi, azi toata lumea vorbeste limbi straine. Din cauza diferentelor de confort s-au creat tacit “bisericute”, in sensul ca cei bine imbracati s-au asezat unii langa altii si, desi nu sunt prieteni, au ajuns sa aiba gusturi si comportamente aproape identice. De obicei ei rad, iar cei din ultimele banci plang. Mai plang si cei din bancile de la mijloc, dar majoritatea prefera sa rada cu cei din primele banci. Astfel s-a ajuns sa se rada prea mult, si sa se planga prea putin. Din lipsa lacrimilor parca si plantele s-au uscat. Inainte erau mai verzi si mai curajoase. Imbratisau larg, cu dragoste, peretii, ba chiar si ramele geamurilor, facand din clasa un adevarat paradis. Astazi s-au strans in ele insele, consumandu-se tacut pe dinauntru, ca un copil neiubit. Nu mai vibreaza nici macar la ora de muzica… dar parca nici muzica nu mai e la fel. Inainte armoniile erau svelte, se inaltau pana in varful pomilor din curtea scolii de unde zburau in sus cu pasarile. Azi sunt ca niste albii secate de rau: nu mai curge prin ele decat un fel de mal greoi, cu pietris.

Vin examenele finale, mare motiv de ingrijorare. Ora de curs s-a scurtat pentru ca nu mai e timp. Nu se mai dau pauze, se merge pe repede inainte. Tot ce s-a predat pana acum va trebui sa se afle inauntrul fiecaruia. Unii au lipsit frecvent de la cursuri, astfel ca nici macar nu-si cunosc profesorul. Altii au studiat continuu, mult mai mult decat era necesar, de si-au subrezit sanatatea si si-au complicat gandurile. Unii au copiat mereu de la colegul din dreapta sau din stanga. Altii au memorat mecanic, au trecut partialele, dar a doua zi au uitat tot ce au invatat, mai ales ca nu au pus niciodata cunostintele in practica. Unii au avut mereu impresia ca stiu tot, asa ca nu au considerat necesar sa invete niciodata nimic. Altii au fost selectivi. Si-au cautat o cale si au mers pe ea. Si-au impartit studiul pe etape bine definite, alternand teoria cu practica. Cand au avut nevoie de raspunsuri, au alergat la meditator, pe care ei il numesc “duhovnic”. Acesta, cunoscandu-i foarte bine, le-a conceput metode individualizate de predare, functie de necesitatile lor, ceea ce le-a fost de mare ajutor. Si mai este o categorie: cei pe care nu i-a ajutat nimeni, niciodata; pe care lumea i-a uitat si despre care nu se banuieste nimic.

Vin examenele de care se vorbeste de la inceputul anilor. In lumina ce are sa inunde incaperea, se stie ca cei din urma vor fi cei dintai, cei ce plang se vor mangaia, iar cei curati cu inima vor vedea pe Dumnezeu.

The World's Most Evil Experiment

2009-11-25T11:14:00.002+02:00

The billion-dollar experiment near Geneva set out to find out God's secret ways so then to play God has been plagued by problems ever since it started last year. Yet people won't learn. This month a bird caused a chain reaction knocking out part of the atom smasher with a piece of bread. Answer: God is alive and He is everywhere. Warning: stop wanting to play God!

Rugaciune impotriva ispitei

2009-09-27T21:24:00.003+03:00

Inapoia mea, Satano!

Exista Iad si chinuri vesnice. Ma tem si vreau sa nu mai pacatuiesc, vreau sa ascult de Dumnezeu si sa ma las de toate pacatele. Vreau sa slujesc Dumnezeului meu, Stapanului meu ceresc!

Despre Iad citeste aici.

Ganduri de fiecare zi

2009-09-27T21:08:00.002+03:00

"L-am rugat pe Dumnezeu
sa-mi dea putere,
dar El m-a facut slab
ca eu sa invat simplitatea si smerenia.

L-am rugat sa ma ajute
sa fac fapte mari,
dar El m-a micsorat
ca eu sa fac fapte bune.

L-am rugat sa-mi dea bogatia
ca eu sa fiu fericit,
dar El m-a facut sarac
ca eu sa devin intelept.

L-am rugat sa-mi dea toate lucrurile
ca eu sa pot gusta viata,
dar El mi-a dat viata
ca sa pot gusta toate lucrurile.

Nu am primit nimic
din tot ce am cerut,
dar am primit tot
ce a fost bun pentru mine.

Impotriva vointei mele
Au fost ascultate rugamintile mele,
sunt printre oameni
un om binecuvantat."

Am gasit de curand aceste cuvinte, scrise pe o hartie veche. Nu le cunosc autorul, insa le-am gustat dulceata binefacatoare. Multumesc aceluia care le-a simtit si ni le-a dat.

Rugaciunea Parintelui Gherontie de la Manastirea Caraiman

2009-09-27T19:58:00.002+03:00

" Doamne, intoarce la bunatate si la rugaciune pe toti vrajmasii mei!"

Aceasta rugaciune trebuie rostita de 30 de ori pe zi timp de 40 de zile si data si altora.

Recomand blog-urile: "Chipul nemuritor al lui Dumnezeu" si Fii fericit, e intaia indatorire!

Water

2009-09-27T17:57:00.004+03:00

A worth-seeing Russian documentary about the unique properties of water (in 8 parts)

Dragostea si bunurile ei

2009-09-27T13:40:00.003+03:00

1. De aş grăi în limbile oamenilor şi ale îngerilor, iar dragoste nu am, făcutu-m-am aramă sunătoare şi chimval răsunător.
2. Şi de aş avea darul proorociei şi tainele toate le-aş cunoaşte şi orice ştiinţă, şi de aş avea atâta credinţă încât să mut şi munţii, iar dragoste nu am, nimic nu sunt.
3. Şi de aş împărţi toată avuţia mea şi de aş da trupul meu ca să fie ars, iar dragoste nu am, nimic nu-mi foloseşte.
4. Dragostea îndelung rabdă; dragostea este binevoitoare, dragostea nu pizmuieşte, nu se laudă, nu se trufeşte.
5. Dragostea nu se poartă cu necuviinţă, nu caută ale sale, nu se aprinde de mânie, nu gândeşte răul.
6. Nu se bucură de nedreptate, ci se bucură de adevăr.
7. Toate le suferă, toate le crede, toate le nădăjduieşte, toate le rabdă.
8. Dragostea nu cade niciodată. Cât despre proorocii - se vor desfiinţa; darul limbilor va înceta; ştiinţa se va sfârşi;
9. Pentru că în parte cunoaştem şi în parte proorocim.
10. Dar când va veni ceea ce e desăvârşit, atunci ceea ce este în parte se va desfiinţa.
11. Când eram copil, vorbeam ca un copil, simţeam ca un copil; judecam ca un copil; dar când m-am făcut bărbat, am lepădat cele ale copilului.
12. Căci vedem acum ca prin oglindă, în ghicitură, iar atunci, faţă către faţă; acum cunosc în parte, dar atunci voi cunoaşte pe deplin, precum am fost cunoscut şi eu.
13. Şi acum rămân acestea trei: credinţa, nădejdea şi dragostea. Iar mai mare dintre acestea este dragostea.

Epistola întâia către Corinteni a Sfântului Apostol Pavel, Capitolul 13

dog and man

2009-08-18T11:13:00.008+03:00

Day One caught me walking by
this two-story townhouse with redwood shutters
paint shrivelled badly on its old grey walls
a yellow street dog barked for a meal
front door opened
from behind beige drapes hanging loose at the entrance
an old man in pyjamas answered the call

Day Two - was walking by
the two-story townhouse with redwood shutters
the morning light caressing its old walls
front door opened
a light coffee flavor reached me on the sidewalk
the yellow street dog was thankful for its meal

Day Seven and I was walking by
this two-story townhouse with dark shaded windows
rain beating rhythmically against its old shrivelled walls
a yellow street dog posted outside the door
saw the Ambulance go
and stayed there waiting

Another blessed day found me walking by
a beautiful two-story townhouse with redwood shutters
light dancing on its old greyish walls
front door opened
from behind beige drapes hanging loose at the entrance
came the laughter of a man
saved by a dog

A Brother's Gone Home

2009-06-30T14:21:00.015+03:00

My humble homage to the deeply inspirational music and poetry of brother Michael Joseph Jackson cannot be expressed but through his own words. Here is some of what he told us:

“What have we done to the world
Look what we've done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son…
The heavens are falling down
I can't even breathe
What about children dying
Can't you hear them cry
Where did we go wrong
Someone tell me why”

Earth Song

"If you want to know why

There’s a love that

Cannot lie

Love is strong

It only cares for

Joyful giving

In this bliss

We stop existing and

Start living

Heal the world

Make it a better place

And the dream we were

Conceived in

Will reveal a joyful face

And the world we

Once believed in

Will shine again in grace

It’s plain to see

This world is heavenly

Be God’s glow”

Heal the World

“Hold me
Like the river Jordan

And I will then say to thee

You are my friend

Carry me

Like you are my brother

Love me like a mother

Will you be there?”

Will You Be There?

“As I turned up the collar on

A favorite winter coat

I see the kids in the street

With not enough to eat

Who am I to be blind

Pretending not to see their needs?

I've been a victim of

A selfish kinda love

It's time that I realize

There are some with no home

I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make that change”

Man in the Mirror

“In my trials
In my tribulations
Through my fear

And my confessions

In my anguish and my pain

Through my joy and my sorrow

In the promise of another tomorrow

I’ll never let you part

For you’re always in my heart.”

“In my heart

I feel you are all

My brothers”

May God’s love be upon you always, brother Michael!

growing pains

2009-06-26T16:41:00.003+03:00

for CR

a tall wise man once said to me,
‘I’ll help you grow spiritually’
the moon was high
he raised his eyes
to greet her

Praise only God and love, I said
for fear that he would go mad
when facing all that yellow light
but he was gone

he later came back down to me
into a song
a symphony
into the promise of a book
he didn’t keep

and now I see him kneeling here
to value friendship and revere
the fact that I did cry in front of
empty words

so who’s the teacher
who is wise
who covers the whole truth in lies
may be that he has never got
the time

he says he has four lives right now
and he forgets to live somehow
but all I wish he understood
was time

Praise only God and love, I said
for fear that he might go mad
but he is gone

from "out in the open", 2009

"Pelerinul rus", o carte care iti schimba viata

2009-06-02T17:16:00.003+03:00

Traducere din limba rusă de Arhimandrit PAULIN LECCA

Text integral:

http://prieteniisfmunteathos.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/pelerinul-rus/

Intelepciune si iubire!

Ostrov (Russia, 2006) - film

2009-06-02T16:47:00.009+03:00

The story of an unusual Eastern Orthodox monk

You can watch this movie here (12 parts, Romanian subtitling):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdXqcdqvZ_4

May God bless you.

Lord, I am amazed how much You love me

2009-04-24T14:10:00.005+03:00

"You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord I’m amazed by You

Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
How You love me

How wide
How deep
How great
Is Your love for me"

What have I done to deserve all that You are giving me, my Lord?

Hosanna to the son of David

Valea Plopului rade si plange

2009-04-24T13:27:00.007+03:00

Parintele Nicolae Tanase imparte darurile vietii si daruri de viata

"Si totusi nu asa a inceput totul ci din nou, o minune a avut loc, de data aceasta in viata parintelui. Era o zi de iarna si a gasit pe pragul casei 5 micuti, toti in varsta de 3 pana la 5 zile. Nu stia ce sa faca cu ei, asa ca a plecat prin sat cu copiii intr-o patura. Oamenii curiosi il intrebau ce are in brate, iar dansul le spunea ca are copii si daca vor pot sa ia si ei unul. Asa ca pana seara reusise sa ii dea pe toti unor familii cu suflet bun. Si astazi din cei 220 peste 150 se afla la familiile din sat, ce i-au luat in grija ca pe copiii lor.

Ne intrebam cum se descurca parintele, de unde are bani pentru a-i creste pe toti acesti copii. Se pare ca nu de la stat, asa cum credeam, ci de la oameni care au vazut nevoile acestor copii, care vin de departe pentru a-i ajuta financiar si a le fi aproape. Asa se face ca au reusit sa construiasca 3 case, ca 60 de copii sunt deja impreuna. Insa lipsurile sunt mari: este nevoie de o centrala, alte doua case nu au geamuri si sunt absolut goale, doicile trebuie platite, copiii au nevoie de hrana, medicamente, imbracaminte, rechizite si multe altele. Orice lucru este binevenit in micuta gospodarie, orice gest este rasplatit cu o rugaciune de multumire. As vrea sa puteti vedea cata nevoie este acolo de ajutorul nostru, cum fiecare lucru pe care l-am face ar insemna enorm pentru acesti copii."
(Sursa: http://www.valeaplopului.com/home.html)

Localizare

Date de contact pentru donatii

guys & gals

2009-04-22T12:28:00.006+03:00

for dmx

from this friendship I’ve learned that
these things count
in no particular order

you could want to know 10 times more
about someone you’ve never seen
than about someone you’ve seen 10 times

gals are pretty & stupid
you send them a love song
and they fall for it
gals are vertical
they rise up, dust themselves off
and play music again

you can invite someone into your life
through the front door
come dare take my hand
I’m giving it out for free
been through a lot so far
so that you could comfortably lean on me

judging can only be done in pairs
male & female
and under Godly supervision

if x loves y and y loves z
x should love z by compassion

people can be alike
and in alikeness they can alienate themselves from the truth

questions answered with another question
prompt reader’s block

there are those who do not seek the love in truth
for fear it would make them too happy

movies can be seen together
telepathically

there are ways to show a bright day
by popping a positive song
into the dusty stereo of a cab

drivers are there to take people to destinations
sometimes they take them to places in their heads
other times to places in their hearts
and it makes them cry
pinned to the sidewalk

blindness is when we get to complain
of too much sunshine

those who rely on books, music, and movies
for nourishment
should be served in small portions

at times negativity grows uncontrollably like ivy
on the walls of one’s soul
making it shadowy and cold

trust is when he lets you hear a song of his
that he’s not really happy with
but once you’ve heard it
it sounds better

there are dialogues that hit the page
and words that nest in the unsaid
the latter never make it into the ears
but crawl under the skin and itch

when the topics river runs dry
one or both rush out and live a little
and they feed off those moments
for days

then there are the spaces and the nights
for thinking
if they should think a little
or a lot

of journeys

2009-04-21T18:24:00.004+03:00

for Chris McCandless

even the starvin’ bear won’t eat me now
says the lil’ joker inside
I am poisonous
the higher up I get in my head
dear Ron
the more I try to crank my heart up
but it won’t start
that darn machine
abandoned in the same mud grave with
good old Datsun
burnt up all the dialogues & monologues
interpersonal relations never matter
hey Rainey life’s good in the arms of a woman
but I’m one that looks for buses
one for the road
kissing gals on the forehead: goodbye
liberty without a heart
Alaska with no food maps
rotting like the flesh of a moose
squirmy with maggots
murder happens everywhere
one can never be free of murder
bought me the privilege of dying
alone under the sparkling sun
face bathing in the deepest blue
the eyes have ever seen
in this world my life of to do lists
threw me out of the house of doing
wilderness’s never tamed my heart enough
to let live
had to kill
and had to kill again
more than I could eat
haven’t eaten any
go out there find yourself
says the voice
take all the necessary notes
at the end of it all
sharing is what matters
yep, journeys are construed
as simply as that

Teach Love

2009-04-17T16:27:00.004+03:00

Oh Lord My God, Who chose for me to be, walk, talk and feel, let my words be righteous to Your ears and my trodding be steady on Your path. Let my life be worthy of Your breath and my touch have the softness of the lilies. Teach me The Love, My Master, teach me to love, for Your Almighty Son is on the cross. And He is crying…

Ever wondered what happens when a parrot dies?

2009-04-15T18:36:00.004+03:00

They were two of a kind. Built alike. The only difference was that she had a white spot on her tail. I don’t know if they were “together”, but they kept each other good company. When it was time for him to leave, he started making these agonizing noises that drew her close. Too close she was, and he was left with no room to die. So he pulled himself in a corner and waited there until his little body started its last fight. It wasn’t long, the fight. He gave in quickly, as he knew he had to be somewhere else. A big convulsion (he had a big soul), a quiet dance of colored feathers and poof!, he was gone.

She stared at him for minutes, wondering if pain is something that grows inside and never leaves, or it is just a late-afternoon visitor that will soon go away. She thought and she thought (because she always thought a lot), and then she looked up and saw the sky. Blue and deep, watching her with the eyes of the eternal lover. He was going home. Instead of mourning, she decided to be silent for a while. Let the pain inside turn all colors, like a contusion, until its final visible phase. She reached inside and wished him well, as she felt his soul enjoying the journey. After all, he did keep her good company.

should I say or should I go?

2009-04-10T19:18:00.003+03:00

now that I’ve silenced my mouth
and put my heart into play
I’ve become someone with something to say

On Giving and Taking

2009-03-27T13:12:00.007+02:00

... or Look Who's Begging Now

I live in a country where there are still a few people begging for food in the street. ‘I’m lucky that way’, says the selfish me, ‘because through them I get to mend some of my past and future mistakes’.

One time I found myself standing in front of a poor man, whose eyes were silently asking for my mercy. I was trying to decide in my head what I should do. Could the situation be reversed? Yes. Is it just a matter of chance that things are the way they are now? Yes.

And I thought: What if next time I ask God for something, He’ll just say ‘Nuh, I’ll pass this one by. I don’t have time for this. She should manage on her own.’

What if I didn't manage on my own? What if it were a matter of life and death and I depended on God’s help just as maybe this hungry person is depending on mine? What would I do then?

O, I have to give. I have to remember to give. And if I let one chance go by, be sure to grab the next one with both hands. One never knows, the privilege of giving might just go away one day. How will I cleanse my soul then?

Better start now, so that when my money is not needed anymore, hopefully my soul will be clean enough to help with wisdom. Thankfully, wisdom seekers will always be around. Thankfully, there’ll always be a way to earn one’s living.

Blind singer. Is he taking or is he giving?

How Happy?

2009-03-26T18:35:00.025+02:00

A friend of mine asked me the other day:
How happy would you like to be?
I'd like to be happy enough not to need anything and to give everything. Then I'll know I'll receive enough to fuel my giving.

THIS IS HAPPY

So help us God!

Barech Yisrael, barech Yerushalayim

2009-03-04T11:44:00.007+02:00

Bless Israel, bless Jerusalem

Genesis 12

1.Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
2.And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3.And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Facerea
Capitolul 12

1. După aceea a zis Domnul către Avram: "Ieşi din pământul tău, din neamul tău şi din casa tatălui tău şi vino în pământul pe care ţi-l voi arăta Eu.
2. Şi Eu voi ridica din tine un popor mare, te voi binecuvânta, voi mări numele tău şi vei fi izvor de binecuvântare.
3. Binecuvânta-voi pe cei ce te vor binecuvânta, iar pe cei ce te vor blestema îi voi blestema; şi se vor binecuvânta întru tine toate neamurile pământului".

pole pole*

2009-01-21T18:14:00.004+02:00

man with a crying child in his lap
empathically meets the hollow eye sockets of the mother
who stole your sight, he asks
that embryo you’re holding, she hollers
and makes the woods tremble
steadily marching in flashy parades
values & anti-values join golden hands
electro-shocking the audience
i’m fixing to fix you all
comes a smothered promise
behind polymer clay walls
armies of little men struggle to grab big books
with the grip of wooden hands
let us forget the figures
ye merry gentlemen gathered here
for all we need are letters – Aleph
Addis Ababa
coats and ties now hanging loose
on fleshless frames
frantic hoorays of faceless appraisers
material force must be overthrown by material force
but theory also becomes a material force
as soon as it has gripped the masses
put me down
slowly
says the baby
raise me up
haw-haw somehow love alters
your sense of humor

*Swahili for "slowly"

excerpt from "Intro", 2008

estranged melody

2009-01-06T13:56:00.006+02:00

when he plays
music notes gather on top of tiny hills
above his nose
then slowly slide
amused
down the valley of his chin
onto his supple violin

when he inhales
he fills his nostrils up with clouds
and lets them cry inside his lungs
until his breath comes out a garland of sweet light
through his panpipe

his fingers touch the brown guitar
he tickles, pinches, gets close but still a bit too far
way up into his weary head. his worried heart
wails loud and tears old worlds apart

in all that unity he's preaching
there is no real right or wrong
mere words for a hard-headed woman
from a tough gong who belongs to his song

excerpt from "Intro", 2008

cutting through

2008-12-13T02:33:00.000+02:00

His back against His heavy, wooden cross
beautiful strands hanging, soaking wet
He’s cold. Bruised flesh, nails piercing through His soul
He thinks of me, and then He gasps for air.
I’ve done some wrong, but now He set me free.
I've watched Him die a million times like this
His crowned head tilted downwards to His land
mouth whispering a final plea for high forgiveness
for me. He battled everything
and now He battles thirst
I saw Him through this time and time again
yet every time my smallest doubt or sin
sends spears of excruciating pain
to His ribs, to His spine. For every stray
thought of mine
another thorn is cutting deep into His skin
not giving up, the old world’s caving in
parental tears kiss His open wounds
His shoulders, tired arms and bleeding palms
He never thinks of that. He thinks of me
rejoicing that the blind one gets to see
rain dripping from His chin. The taste of life
the way it’s always been
grey weeping skies are pouring down
rivers of rain. The Fish in pain.
Great wonder of deafening thunder
alas, my very eagerness to break His heart
to kill His love so He could love me anew
no matter how bad I do
at the closing of the year
I always get a fresh start

God is opening His heart. Again.

excerpt from "Intro", 2008