I am teaching a student in Afghanistan via an American people-to-people-peace organisation called Pax Populi (Applied Ethics, Inc). My student, Qasem, is from Herat, a town near the border with Iran which is steeped in Islamic culture and is famous for Sufism. One of Qasem's favourite hobbies is to climb up the mountain called Takht-e-safar early mornings. He described the views from there and I was inspired to paint it.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Takht-e-safar, Herat: Acrylic on Canvas
Labels:
afghanistan,
art,
herat,
takht-e-safar,
travel
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Five sisters: Oil crayon on paper
Labels:
afghan,
afghanistan,
art,
five sisters,
herat,
Oil crayon,
paper,
skype,
travel
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Zentangled: Ink and colour pencils on paper
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Peace
I asked my friends of Facebook to throw at me the first word that comes to their minds when I say, 'peace'. They suggested home, inner, harmony, sleep, unity, animals, Buddhism, nature, peace, green, tranquility and joy. This is what I made of with some of them.
Peace
This talk of peace
That we make and keep
Of quiet and sleep,
Are expressions we seek.
Unworthy governments,
Their brutal policies
The United Nations
And many bureaucracies.
A soldier's plight
To defend and fight
Wrapped in a blanket
He watches every night.
In a quiet village
Far from the post
Where music plays
A gentle harmony.
Secure and warm
A comfortable home
A family's unity
Sheltered with hope.
There comes a stranger
A messenger cloaked
Animals in the barn
Sense the danger.
He comes to the door
Reads out a letter
A family's future
Will change forever.
The marked prejudice
The lack of options
A fate decided
A family disunited.
Carers, keepers
Lawyers, well-wishers
Activists, writers
Rights' protectors.
Petitions, programs
Campaigns, causes
Funds and fairs,
Cameras, journalists.
Discussions, decisions
A family waits:
"How much longer
will they take?"
Then one day
Justice prevails
A sigh of relief
Prayers on lips.
They return home:
Nature's tranquility
An inner conflict
Buried in secret.
Peace
This talk of peace
That we make and keep
Of quiet and sleep,
Are expressions we seek.
Unworthy governments,
Their brutal policies
The United Nations
And many bureaucracies.
A soldier's plight
To defend and fight
Wrapped in a blanket
He watches every night.
In a quiet village
Far from the post
Where music plays
A gentle harmony.
Secure and warm
A comfortable home
A family's unity
Sheltered with hope.
There comes a stranger
A messenger cloaked
Animals in the barn
Sense the danger.
He comes to the door
Reads out a letter
A family's future
Will change forever.
The marked prejudice
The lack of options
A fate decided
A family disunited.
Carers, keepers
Lawyers, well-wishers
Activists, writers
Rights' protectors.
Petitions, programs
Campaigns, causes
Funds and fairs,
Cameras, journalists.
Discussions, decisions
A family waits:
"How much longer
will they take?"
Then one day
Justice prevails
A sigh of relief
Prayers on lips.
They return home:
Nature's tranquility
An inner conflict
Buried in secret.
Labels:
peace,
poetry,
poetry through social media,
Throw Me A Word
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Buzkashi: Print, acrylic and oil crayon on paper
Labels:
acrylic,
afghan,
afghanistan,
art,
buzkashi,
Oil crayon,
paper,
travel
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Kalam: Mixed media on paper
Labels:
acrylic,
art,
mixed media,
Oil crayon,
print
Friday, October 16, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Belief
It's on those days
When trust falters
Your weary mind
Leaves Hope out.
It's on those days
When bubbles burst
And your dreams
Come crashing down.
It's on those days
When Love is lost
The heart aches
Your soul cries out.
It's on those days
When the spirit's broken
Your voice is choked
Your tears undammed.
It's on those days
When fear rules
Pressure's fist
Clamps you down.
It's on those days
You find Belief
A saviour,
A friend in need.
It's on those days
You find the light
A sudden thought,
An idea, bright.
It's on those days
You find yourself
Your soul, your spirit
Your heart mended.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Eisha's Professional Experience Visualized
Labels:
CV,
data,
data journalism,
david mccandless,
professional experience
Fields: Ink and oil crayon on paper
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