Maurice, I have reread your poem, I enjoy the quirks you mix in with your message of Peace; I would like to read more of your poetry, it flows so beautifully.
Thankyou Mya for your kind words.... I am developing my Boathouse posts into "Inspirational Episodes" -Significant periods in my life waking up the Creative within. The NeXt one (6th March) is on the Antwerpen music scene in the mid 80's, where I started to play guitar, and turned my existing poetry into songs. Over a six year period I penned many more, which will be included in this new string. Thanks again, Peace, Maurice
Ooh I love this! Really, really lovely. You’ve transported me to an imperfect place that is so full of beauty in its own way. Thank you so much dear Mya. 🤗🤗😘💕
What a gorgeous, complex collision of beliefs and senses. And then adding to it, your own “and I wonder how it feels to have faith.” I, too, have felt this contrast in places of worship and wondered, but not enough to cross to the other side.:)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Kim; it is fascinating as an observer, especially when it seems such a natural inclination in others, yet so far removed from our own.💜
Thank you so much, Susanna, a very thoughtful comment, and I wonder if it was indeed the same place you friend visited. I think that at the time, being barely in my teens and brought up as a catholic, I would naturally sign using the blessed water and join other rituals I was well versed in, plus I would always be accompanied by my godmother, an Egyptian benedictine nun whose habit was often mistaken for a hijab; the added dimensions meant I was lucky enough to be both an observer and an insider of sorts. I think my main sadness at the time was witnessing the gap between religious ideals and human fallibility. Thank you for being here, Susanna, much appreciated.
Exquisitely rendered visual imagery, along with the complexity of the beliefs, motivations and peoples surrounding this place and the crossroad of faith and culture it represents. Beautifully done, Mya! I'm reminded of the souks of my childhood, growing up in Saudi Arabia, and in particular, of practicing my Arabic to accidentally buy 4 kilos of carrots, and being so embarrassed by the size and weight of the bag, I left it on another vendor's stall... 🤣🥕🧡
Really nice poem Mya and beautiful descriptions of imagery. I like your last line about how inhaling and exhaling the vibrant memory "holds your soul in a gentle headlock." Excellent line.
Religious Spin,
is no Sin,
just a legit ? Marketing,
Laid between the wadi banks,
dodging the antique bullets,
purchased with wages paid to Insurgents,
masquerading as our barrack servants,
The officers believed us not,
we Boys got shot,
The Official pretense,
gods existence.
gods on our side,
both sides cried,
both sides died,
in the sand,
anothers land,
They called us unbelievers,
that much is True,
I knew, I Knew,
Piety ?
Nono Diety !!
One has the right to die for one's belief,
But Not To Kill, For those who market alah akbar,
in any creed,
to feed the bleed,
That's my equally valid Faith, in Peace,
Maurice
Maurice, I have reread your poem, I enjoy the quirks you mix in with your message of Peace; I would like to read more of your poetry, it flows so beautifully.
Thankyou Mya for your kind words.... I am developing my Boathouse posts into "Inspirational Episodes" -Significant periods in my life waking up the Creative within. The NeXt one (6th March) is on the Antwerpen music scene in the mid 80's, where I started to play guitar, and turned my existing poetry into songs. Over a six year period I penned many more, which will be included in this new string. Thanks again, Peace, Maurice
Ahhh, that makes perfect sense, I felt the musicality in your poetry. Looking forward to your Inspirational Episodes.
Wow, Maurice, j'aime ton talent poetique, ravie de t'avoir inspire!
Ooh I love this! Really, really lovely. You’ve transported me to an imperfect place that is so full of beauty in its own way. Thank you so much dear Mya. 🤗🤗😘💕
Thank you, Beth, so very happy for your wonderful feedback! 💜🥰
For she is beautiful
What a gorgeous, complex collision of beliefs and senses. And then adding to it, your own “and I wonder how it feels to have faith.” I, too, have felt this contrast in places of worship and wondered, but not enough to cross to the other side.:)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Kim; it is fascinating as an observer, especially when it seems such a natural inclination in others, yet so far removed from our own.💜
I did find this dynamic interesting as well because
You describe the scene so vividly.
Narrating it all as 'an outsider'; unbelieving, without faith.
As a narrator it is enriched by your familiarity with the culture and the fact that you have enough vocabulary to describe the scene wonderfully.
I can't shake the thought that if the Armenian and the Anglican narrated it,
It is possible that they would each think of you in a similar way that they would think of each other.
Seeing you as having a belief in something other than their own.
I say this because a friend once narrated to me their experience of a similar place (it may even very well be the same)
She'd returned from a visit to Jerusalem.
I was intrigued by how she described 'everyone else' praying in their different groups.
Since she is a person of faith, I wondered how she did not see herself as one of the groups.
Her narration placed her firmly on the outside of it all.
Thank you so much, Susanna, a very thoughtful comment, and I wonder if it was indeed the same place you friend visited. I think that at the time, being barely in my teens and brought up as a catholic, I would naturally sign using the blessed water and join other rituals I was well versed in, plus I would always be accompanied by my godmother, an Egyptian benedictine nun whose habit was often mistaken for a hijab; the added dimensions meant I was lucky enough to be both an observer and an insider of sorts. I think my main sadness at the time was witnessing the gap between religious ideals and human fallibility. Thank you for being here, Susanna, much appreciated.
Exquisitely rendered visual imagery, along with the complexity of the beliefs, motivations and peoples surrounding this place and the crossroad of faith and culture it represents. Beautifully done, Mya! I'm reminded of the souks of my childhood, growing up in Saudi Arabia, and in particular, of practicing my Arabic to accidentally buy 4 kilos of carrots, and being so embarrassed by the size and weight of the bag, I left it on another vendor's stall... 🤣🥕🧡
Oh wow! It's quite rare to bump into/meet someone else who grew up in the Middle-East, and can well imagine the scene with the giant bag of carrots!!
I am so grateful too for your wonderful comment, thank you Troy💛🥰🥕
Really nice poem Mya and beautiful descriptions of imagery. I like your last line about how inhaling and exhaling the vibrant memory "holds your soul in a gentle headlock." Excellent line.
Thank you so much, Neil, it's lovely to hear that!
Vibrant and excellent it is
Thank you so much, Maurice.
Mya, this was beautifully written. The vividness, the imagery, the depth of importance this place holds. Truly wonderful writing. Bravo!
I liked the entire piece, but I especially liked this line: “... the air swollen with the tail end of burnt matches.“ — such a good line. :)
Thank you Michael, what a lovely and generous feedback. As per usual, I really appreciate your thoughts.
As Beth and others have said, this was exquisite and beautiful and rich with imagery.
Thank you muchly, Nathan, your appreciation means a lot.
Alors Mya, tu l'as fait
I could feel this holy space based on your writing!!!! Amazing!!!!!
That's wonderful, thank you so much, Anat!
Beautifully expressed
Much appreciated, thank you Terry.