Pablo Neruda “The Sea”

Someone I know was rummaging around in old photos and found this, I think it’s lovely.

"I need an ocean to teach me: whatever it is that I learn - music or consciousness, the single wave in the sea, the abyss of my being, the guttural rasp of my voice, or the blazing presumption of fishes and navies - so much is certain: even in sleep, as if by a trick of a magnet, I spin on the circle of wave upon wave of the sea, the sea's university..." -Pablo Neruda "The Sea"

"I Think We're Alone Now" Song

I just used Shazam to find this song "Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James And The Shondells. I heard on a comedy show: Colin Quinn Long Story Short; love this original version and even better Colin Quinn's stand up, excellent performance:)

Forced to Marry the Man that Sexually & Physically Assaulted Her; Moroccan 16 yr. old Amina Filali Committed Suicide

Saturday, March 10th, 16 yr. old Moroccan girl, Amina Filali, committed suicide after she was forced to marry a man that raped & beat her regularly for a year. This is lawful due to section 475 of the penal code. "In some cities, it is unacceptable for a woman to lose her virginity before marriage, even in cases of rape. Marriage is regularly used as a way to restore the honor of the rapist and the victim's family."

There has been an outrage on the internet over her story and this powerful photograph. It has sparked a debate over arranged marriages that allow this kind of cruelty. For me personally, I cannot get over the look in her eyes. I see sadness and pain there, and a look of resignment. Yet, there is a strength there that I cannot put my finger on. She was a beautiful young girl who had her entire life in front of her. How was this allowed to happen?

Who was protecting this girl? I hope this internet outrage continues and the debate spurs people into action. Where there is a girl like this, there are others, and more forced to do what their parents and judges tell them to do. That is not freedom, that is obedience. Smart, talented, beautiful, young girls are not given the choices they deserve to make the most of their lives with laws like this in place.

We are living in an age of internet and social media. We need to take advantage of the powerful voice that gives us. I think we owe that much to the Amina Filali’s of the world. Share on Twitter, FB, YouTube, Pinterest, StumbleUpon, Google+, wherever you can to spread the message that this is not okay and she did not die in vain. Please click on her picture for the full story.

A Lost Love

This sculpture means a lot to me. The picture was taken by an ex-boyfriend and I believe it is in Denmark or Sweden. I'm not sure which, if anyone knows please comment. It symbolizes our relationship and constant frustration to communicate and understand one another. Art is interpretive and I see in this sculpture, the woman trying to explain something to the man, or maybe she is giving him hard news, and he, his head in his hands, not understanding or dismayed by what she is saying.

When I reflect on that relationship I remember what I learned, what I enjoyed, and what I regret. I wrote several poems about it but the one I like most is one I wrote of a dream I had. When I write, I write with a fury to get it all out and when I am finished I read what I wrote to understand it. I look back and feel very differently now but I can appreciate the feelings behind this poem. Love can be bittersweet but it’s memory is still important.

The Dream of A Lost Love

You broke the window to my soul, and stole a piece that left a hole."I just feel like we were cheated, " I say to you, in a dream, where you offer me a warm embrace, knowingly and kind. We were flying and our bodies were moving at the speed of light, the only creation I could see were your eyes staring into mine; in them were forgiveness and peace so I smile and release.  Only a dream could produce you now in the deep recesses of my mind so patience is a virtue I must learn in time. but if only for a night  I saw a glimpse from his eyes to mine.