Celebrating the Dream

It was Monday, January 21, 2008. The afternoon's weather was cold, a little windy and temperatures hit the lower 40's. Notwithstanding, a group of people gathered in the Southlake Carroll Senoir High School auditorium to celebrate the Life, Dreams and Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As the diverse assembly settled in their seats, the commemoration began with a soulful song of praise by the Saint John Baptist Church Choir. A prayer for Unity from the Sacred Writings of the Bahai Faith preceeded an invocation by a Pastor.

A welcome note, a Mayoral declaration and an overview talk by Jack Guillebeaux were the next items on the agenda. After a lively song saying "We are One Family" with me on the Djembe leading the crowd, it was time for the most emotional and heartwarming part of the program:
Recitation of excerpts of Dr. King's speeches by children ages 9- 13. As the children recited excerpts from these speeches:
"Eulogy for the martyred children,"
"From the mountain top,"
"MIA mass meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church,"
"Paul's letter to the American Christians," and
"Where do we go from here,"
I was mesmerized not only by the brilliance with which they recited the speeches, their intonation which invoked such a deeper understanding of the message contained therein, also by the spirit of joy and knowing with which these children conveyed that spirit of Dr. King's message; a call to harmony, a fight for the establishment of justice and equality, and the recognition of our essential existence as humans who need to be treated with respect and dignity.

Then came time for some action. Jack called on the assembly to regroup in fours to discuss on how we can build a better Southlake using Dr. King's dreams and vision. A sample of the groups' ideas were shared on what an individual, neighbors, family and the city can do to make a better Southlake. It is important to note that most of the ideas shared were actions that could be implemented immediately with no need of grandious plans, just a commitment to a reorganization of our lives. E.g invite a neighbor to dinner and have them taste a meal from your culture or another culture, say prayers together, make a deliberate effort to make friends and meet people who are different from you.

Another lively song(Beauty) which celebrates the beauty in the diversity of the world proceeded the Awards and Scholarship Ceremony. Three students were awarded prizes ($250-1000) for the essay they wrote on building a better Southlake using Dr. King's Dreams.

Closing comments, a prayer for America, and a performance by the Saint John Baptist Choir brought to a close this ceremony. The first sponsored by the Bahais of Southlake. As the friends gathered around enjoying their refreshments, I could see faces beaming with joy, gladness and a realization that meetings of this nature can be brought to a neighborhood level, filled with enthusiasm, a spirit to get to know our friends and neighbors at a more intimate level rather than superficial salutes and "How di's" as we walk our dogs along paved sidewalks.

Heavenly Delights

The journey was long and the anticipation of meeting the friends in Dallas made it even longer. Although a smooth drive, and the pleasures of listening to great music (Temple of Light CD, One Giant Leap) was soothing, yet my heart kept saying "Soon I'll be there, there will I be soon."

On time, I was in Dallas, the weather was cloudy and cold( somewhere in the 40's?)Not paying attention to weather reports, I was expecting some sunshine. What the weather didn't provide in sunshine, the greeting and salute of Fareed did. Even more so the treat, which was eating at a Moroccan restaurant.

It was then time for some enjoyeeeing!!!!!
The drive was short, the vicinity jiving with a Downtown revival spirit of Dallas Downtown projects: trendy shops, big screen displays, kool restaurants, and booming condos that exhibit the flow of Benjamins.

A short walk and a few How are you doing?, we entered Medina- a Moroccan restaurant owned by a lively Gentleman known as Sam. The decor was appealing, showcasing some aspects of the grandeur of Moroccan interior design without overwhelming the eyes.
The staff was friendly.

Then came the food. Ah the food!! Heavenly delights. From the Calamari salad to the Za'atar lamb chops,the pita bread, shrimp wraps and hakira sauce in between, are foods that awakens the taste buds, satisfy their longings, and conjures a Princely dinning, healthy and well suited for a boujoir lifestyle without its extravagancies.
Needless to say the flavor and aroma of the lamb chops, their tenderness and zest of the sauce was the perfect combination,that made me a hearty eater with ringing smiles running along my face.

Whisperings

I dove into an ocean
And drank deep of its
Crystal clear waters

My ear drum got filled
With the whisperings:
The time is nigh
When Faces will be Faces
Beings are Beings
And the color of skin
Is a matter of
how much sun you've got.

Welcome to the Swamp

No white picket fence
or manicured gardens
No scented rose petals
or the wafting sweetness of jasmines
No rosemary blossoms
or the attractions of hyacinths

This is a swamp
Where cypress and mangrove trees
provides the shade
The pond looks green
Frogs croak and toads produce the music
Cardinals harmonize in the distance
while sparrows sing their own tunes

Fungus and algae flourish
Moss and ferns are corridors
To a perculiar terrene

Welcome to the swamp
Know my nature, my ecology
Enjoy my beauty
And don't get stuck with a goose

Lover and Friend

A Lover is a Friend
And the Friend is in the Lover

A Friend is the Lover
who loves the Friend

And the Lover is in Love
With the Friend

I am a friend, a lover and in Love

Message

I felt like calling you
To talk about me and you
But decided not to
Something was holding me back
How does flame seperate from fire
And river runs away from the ocean?

I see planes fly and fish crawl
Not talking of dogs that pant on hot summer days
Snails creep into their shells
Causing the tortoise to feel shy
Wait my friend
you are running over your shadow

Finally I picked up the phone
Yes you were not there
How could I leave a message
when what I wanted to say was clear
Clear as sunshine at noon
My breath said it all
If you listened