I dream.

I dream in ecstasy and  fantasy
I see a world of myriad hues,
a rainbow, a ribbon
whirling , twirling,
in loops and   hoops
I’m a chaste, cumulous puff, in the open blue.
I drift, swift ,far and beyond.

STUDENT MEMORIES

            

And Esther Rises

Yes, the 'phoenix 'has risen
 from the ashes, 'her' ashes!
Delicate, gray powdery residues
are now a 'golden brown,'
molded to perfection,
after the purgation.

The purgation was needed,

Indeed, it was.
How else would the 'purification' take place.
The 'redemption' after  repentance.

Endured pain,

was a 'purifying pyre '

that sanctified and brought forth

a 'burning transformation'.

Now, the dust no longer hangs lose.

Esther, takes 'wings' and sets forth,
for a sweeping  upward soar.

By the Pool

With the submergence of the thirsty soul

in  the soothing blue,

crystalline thoughts emerge,

floating in ripples.

They pulsate at the epicenter,
the vision is sublime.


Then, there's manifestation like a whirlpool,

gripping energy strikes at the root.
Mind battles the body 
for the emergence of supreme light,
the essence of life.

DEAD BIRD

In the mid-day heat of summer,

a bird dropped dead,

was  it  parched, starved, or scorched?

the reason-
mysterious for me, valid for the bird.

Lifeless it lay on the steaming concrete,

puny, gray thing,

 demure and delicate.
relieved to be released.

Soon, the janitor

dumped it in a yard

to decay or be bull dozed,

mechanical, dutiful act. 

Tiny gray bird,

her  soul escaped
unaware.

Coffee with an ALIEN!

‘Will you believe me if I say I had a chit- chat with an alien?

 Will you not consider me strange if I say I had an alien over for tea?

Will you accept me if I say I enjoy the company of the ‘other?’…

An evening on the lawn beside a faint, shimmering pool, the setting is calm and serene, gentle, soft breeze brings in the balmy, lulling effect. The rustle of the leaves and the hustle of cars are the only two noticeable movements. The Sun kisses the land on the horizon; birds head to their nest and men return to their family, the day’s chores are done, now it’s time to retire. In a distance you hear the ‘adan’, an evening call for prayer. Yes, it’s a perfectly set evening, a time for reflection, submission.

The scene is set, flickering flames of the perfumed candle fights a silent battle with the gentle wind that in spite of its gentleness is in an effort to devour the ‘light’. Mats are spread and the group finally comes to its actual number of 14. We sit in calm and awe, anticipating. There’s a kind of urgency and  unrest as to what the outcome will be, for the fourteen here are together for a different reason. No it’s not a kitty party or a social night of dance and merry making. It’s an evening of establishing harmony. We wish to acknowledge the presence of all living beings with whom we share this plane. In particular we’d like to acknowledge the presence of the invisible, see them in some form and establish a connection. We though uninvited have resolved to  enter their realm in peace of course!

Therefore, this evening is an extra ordinary one. The session begins with an introduction of each other, general queries on the existence of spirits, forces unknown, on life and the future of the world. Finally, with an invocation of the higher force, the delve begins. At first it is the conscious at play, we submit our selves to our mind, the highest realm of thought, then as it takes control we are gradually oblivious of our physical surrounding. Senses are numb and we as light as air balloons. We brave it to the world of unknown and it is indeed exhilarating. 

In the vastness of space, we imagine opening a door, walking down steps, twenty to be precise, and feeling the presence of ‘the other’. We are now in the world of the extra terrestrial. I  invite one of them, any one of  them to show me his/her presence . I ask for a conversation, the mind hovers back and forth, back and forth. Music that was set to play at the beginning of the meditation is loud and soft, soft and loud.  In the excitement of the whole event, I confess being distracted, therefore I do not recall seeing any form. However, the voice rung clearly in my ears, a voice of assurance and my hands were profuse with energy. At the end of it, there was a feeling of contentment and inner peace. 

To what extent I rely on my experience, I cannot say, but I do know that the feeling was memorable, a thing to ponder on and explore. With time, maturity will definitely be attained on the galactic, the aliens and the extra terrestrial.

When the CLASS breaks LOSE...

It’s happens once in a while and I’d like to term it ‘restricted freedom!’ Restricted because the freedom is confined to the four walls of the classroom and there’s still a list of don’ts to follow. No fizzy drinks, no junk food, no music, no dancing, no littering, no breaking any other classroom decorum. It’s just a class of relaxed atmosphere where we share healthy food and  environment.

Nonetheless it is  a good experience to break routine and be at ease with a bunch of young, energetic adults who are about to step into the next phase of their life. For that hour there’s no imposition and no order, The otherwise discipline-obsessed teacher is a silent observer giving the teens space and freedom.  There’s supervising though for supervision it seems runs in the veins of teachers and the students are tolerant  for they know their teacher well enough!

When the class breaks loose is a worthwhile moment for both the instructor and the instructed, it's an  an opportunity to know each other from close quarters. You share the table and lighter moments, which in turn bring about bonding that’ll last a lifetime.  On such an occasion your students don’t dread your sight, instead they do the opposite; they hover around and make an effort to know the ‘human you’, the person you are in your world and you in turn you do the same.
 ‘Ms, eat, why aren’t you joining us?’

             ‘Ms, taste this dish, it’s ‘Paper Rice’, (Vine leaf, actually) Azooz’s mom prepared it, purely    vegetarian and healthy.’

            ‘Ms, why are you sitting so far? Come, join us.’

             ‘Ms, take a picture with us.’

These imperatives are but expressions of genuine concern. One of the taller otherwise shy student wittily remarks, ‘Ms you eat so little, no wonder you are so stingy with marks.’  
That’s what keen observation is all about I guess.

The 'teacher you’ may have been a nightmare burdening young lads with wagon load of assignments, projects, quizzes, deadlines and consequences yet the ‘person you’ is the one they long for, whose attention and advice  they seek. They wish to hear and be heard, therefore it is but necessary for the class to break loose once in a while. You win the confidence, loyalty and respect of those who you care for most and this indeed brings about a deep sense of satisfaction