Unraveling Hope, Waiting, and Existence: A Review of Three Poems by Anna Keiko

Anna Keiko, a renowned poet from Shanghai, China, has carved a distinct presence in the world of contemporary poetry. Her works blend delicate imagination, emotional depth, and reflective philosophical touches. In her three poems—Dawn of Hope, Waiting for the Bus, and An Empty Glass—Anna Keiko invites readers to contemplate love, hope, waiting, and the essence of human existence in a quiet yet stirring way.

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Dawn of Hope: Love as a Source of Light

Dawn of Hope offers a spiritual experience of love. Anna Keiko personifies time as something that flows endlessly, creating a contrast between the human desire to pause it and the unrelenting reality of its progression. Expressions like “like an image captured by a camera lens” symbolize the longing to preserve meaningful moments.

The heart of the poem lies in its portrayal of love as a transformative energy. Love warms the world and fills it with hope: “two hearts find a home full of gentleness.” The image of dawn not only signals the morning but also symbolizes the rebirth of hope after a long night. With a gentle yet firm poetic voice, Anna conveys the message that love can be a guiding light in darkness, a driving force that illuminates life.

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Waiting for the Bus: An Existential Narrative Amid Life’s Absurdities

In Waiting for the Bus, Anna Keiko places her lyrical persona in a seemingly ordinary situation—waiting for a bus. Yet this simple setting transforms into an existential metaphor for endless waiting and uncertain direction in life. The line “no bus takes me to where I want to go” implies the alienation of humans in a world that keeps moving, yet often fails to meet their deepest needs.

The repetition of “waiting” and the soft description of seasonal changes (from winter to spring) intensify the sense of stagnation. A city that “has slept for thousands of years” portrays an indifferent world, while “a few stars still awake” become symbols of the small hope that remains.

This poem is a portrait of silence within the crowd, a waiting that defies definition, and a search for meaning in a fast yet empty life. Anna prompts readers to reflect on the direction of their journey—are we truly heading where we want to go, or are we merely moving without purpose?

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An Empty Glass: Fragile and Mysterious Existence

An Empty Glass reveals a more philosophical and metaphysical side of Anna Keiko’s poetry. A glass once filled with spring water and now suddenly empty becomes a symbol of impermanence and the mystery of existence. Questions such as “Is existence just a glass of water?” and “Is my mind trapped in the glass?” express human doubt about visible reality.

This poem touches on the concepts of time, identity, and the boundary between thought and reality. With a minimalist yet profound style, Anna presents metaphors that stimulate the intellect and challenge the reader to reconsider the meaning of presence and change. Rather than providing clear answers, she offers space for deep contemplation.

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A Lyrical Voice that Touches the Soul’s Edge

In these three poems, Anna Keiko conveys that the human inner world is a realm rich in meaning and silence. She weaves words with precision and honesty, blending personal nuances with universal reflection. Love, waiting, and existence are not merely themes, but vital pulses that breathe life into her poetry.

Keiko is not just a poet; she is a keeper of light who gently guides readers through the darkness. Her poems do not explode with words, but seep into silence, touching the deepest parts of the human soul.

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Dawn of Hope

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

Morning light

wipes away the traces of night

Time flows endlessly

though I wish it would stop

like an image captured by a camera lens

for just as the fruit on a tree is precious, so is life

like the moon rising in the night

So are you, my love, whatever happens

wherever you are, I keep you in my heart

since I fell in love with you, your world has changed

because two hearts found a home full of tenderness

sunlight plays upon the strings of love

illuminating the dawn of hope.

—

Waiting for the Bus

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

I am waiting for the bus

Many buses pass through the station

They head to different cities

But none takes me where I want to go

I am still waiting, from winter to spring

No one cares about those waiting for the bus

They walk, or they run

I wait from darkness until dawn

Trees hibernate and awaken,

so do birds

This city has slept for thousands of years

Only a few stars remain awake

I don’t know how far the place I long for is

I keep waiting for the bus.

—

An Empty Glass

A Poem by Anna Keiko (China)

A glass full of spring water appears before me

It is part of my body.

I try to drink from it,

But as I try,

The glass is empty.

Where did the water go

in such a short time?

Is existence

just a glass of water?

This is mystery, this is confusion.

What happened?

Yesterday, I was here at the same time

and filled the glass.

Would the water not disappear

if I stayed here?

Is my mind trapped in the glass

or…?

—

About Anna Keiko and Her Work

Anna Keiko is a poet and essayist from Shanghai, China, who has made a significant mark in the world of contemporary literature. A graduate of East China University in Shanghai with a degree in law, her work has reached global audiences—translated into over 30 languages and published in more than 500 journals, magazines, and platforms across 40 countries.

With a deep dedication to literature, Anna founded and leads the ACC Shanghai Huifeng Literary Association. She also serves as China’s representative and director for the Ithaca International Cultural Foundation. Actively involved in international literary communities such as Immagine & Poesia in Italy and the Canadian-Cuban Literary Union, she fosters cultural friendship through poetry.

She has published six poetry collections, including Lonely in the Blood and Absurd Language—works that explore the bitterness of human experience, the unrest with nature, and the search for meaning amid life’s absurdities. Her honest, imaginative, and empathetic style has earned her prestigious international accolades, such as the 30th International Poetry Award in Italy and the World Peace Ambassador Certificate in 2024.

In 2023, Anna became the first Chinese recipient of the Cross-Cultural Exchange Medal for Significant Contribution to World Poetry in the United States—a distinction she carries with humility. Her poems, such as Octopus Bones and others, not only captivate readers but also open doors for her to participate in global festivals and literary gatherings.

Beyond poetry, Anna also writes prose, essays, song lyrics, and plays, showcasing her broad love for the written word.

Anna Keiko continues her quiet literary journey, weaving words, kindling hope, and offering works that touch the hearts of many souls.

West Sumatra, 2025

To You, O God

Your reflection dwells in the eyes of the spiritual.

I seek You, O God —

tirelessly, in the silence of morning,

in a drop of dew,

in the breath that awakens with the dawn.

I search for You

in the touch of the wind,

in the bird that sings unseen,

in thoughts that fall silent

while the heart speaks.

I know,

You are everywhere —

in the gaze of the beggar,

in the smile of the wise,

in the hush of the temple,

and in the clamor of life.

When I kneel,

it is not before the world,

but before Your eternal goodness.

When I weep,

I do not fear sorrow —

for I know You are in every tear.

To You, O God,

I offer this verse,

let it be a bridge

between my being

and Your eternity.

Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar and divides her life between Serbia and Denmark. In Serbia, she serves as the deputy editor-in-chief at the publishing house Sfairos in Belgrade. She is also the founder and vice president of the Rtanj and Mesečev Poets’ Circle, which counts 800 members, and the editor-in-chief of the international e-magazine Area Felix, a bilingual Serbian-English publication. She writes literary reviews, and as a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and international literary magazines, anthologies, and electronic media. Some of her poems are also available on the YouTube platform. Maja Milojković has won many international awards. She is an active member of various associations and organizations advocating for peace in the world, animal protection, and the fight against racism. She is the author of two books: Mesečev krug (Moon Circle) and Drveće Želje (Trees of Desire). She is one of the founders of the first mixed-gender club Area Felix from Zaječar, Serbia, and is currently a member of the same club. She is a member of the literary club Zlatno Pero from Knjaževac, and the association of writers and artists Gorski Vidici from Podgorica, Montenegro.

First, some announcements before our first May issue, Paradoxical Understandings.

Poetry submissions to North of Oxford’s Streur Anthology are now open!

North of Oxford would like to pay tribute to the late Russell Streur, poet and publisher of The Camel Saloon and The Plum Tree Tavern with an online anthology dedicated to Nature. Send us your poems of Nature, of floral and fauna, of forests and trees, of rivers, creeks and streams. Of farms, of urban nature, of parks and sanctuaries, of oceans and bays, of islands, of all things, Nature.

Send one to three poems for consideration of publication to North of Oxford at sahmsguarnieriandreutter@gmail.com  Subject line of submission: Streur Anthology. Submissions will be accepted until 5/31/25. Only submissions attached as word doc will be reviewed. Please include a 100-word bio within the word doc.

https://northofoxford.wordpress.com/2025/04/13/streur-nature-anthology-submissions/

Announcement from Jacques Fleury:
 “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”  is being featured on the Boston Public Library website for Haitian American Heritage Month in May!

Eva Petropoulou Lianou shares a short film inspired by NASA’s inclusion of her poetry in a capsule launched to the moon.

Synopsis
On 26th February 2025 NASA launched a capsule with poems to the moon, one of them was the anti-war poem “Happy Birthday”. Written by Eva Lianou Petropoulou, Directed & Animated by Zina Papadopoulou, Music & Sound by Grigoris Grigoropoulos

Lunar codex, Athena, Minerva Excelsior, The Vagabond Anthology, edited by Mark Lipman, dedicated to the Palestinian poet Ahmed Miqdad

Also, our contributor Brian Barbeito’s new book has just come out, When I Hear the Night. This is a prose poem and landscape photography book. Included with the words and pictures are two literary and dynamic introductory essays, one by poet and editor Jude Goodwin, and another by the writer and editor Mary Buchanan Sellers, figures current and thus well-informed in the field. There are also author notes and question-and-answer sections. The writings can be said to have interesting elements of memoir, essay, belle-lettres, poetry, and short story forms. Their content often includes the mystic and inner vision of the author coupled with the outside world of nature walking and travel.

When I Hear the Night can be ordered here.

Now, for May 2025’s first issue: Paradoxical Understandings. In this issue, we explore various perspectives and vantage points, how multiple things can be true at once in our complex universe.

To begin, poet Yang Yujun interviews Sudhakar Gaidhani about the inspirations behind his epic poetic work Devdoot the Angel, which promotes wisdom and unity among the world’s diverse groups of people and philosophies.

On a more personal level, Peter Cherches writes of understandings and misunderstandings, how much we can come to know or forget about those closest to us. Aziza Xazanova urges human understanding through avoiding assumptions and listening with empathy. Daniel De Culla relates a story where a person in trouble simply seeks a listening ear, not rescue.

One way people can understand each other better is by learning each other’s languages. Several contributors discuss pedagogical methods for language teaching.

Malika Abdusamadovna writes about translation techniques, the importance of clarity in a teacher’s speech, principles of word division in various European languages, and ways to teach speech activity. Gafurova Mahbuba discusses complex sentence structure, digital game metrics as teaching tools, and practical and theoretical approaches to translation. Oblaqulova Gulshoda examines and compares the implied meanings of Uzbek and Japanese idioms.

Abdullajonova Rayhona outlines methods of translation practice, how to teach speech activities, principles for the categorization of words, and how to teach language through movement and stories. Olimova Shahina discusses how to improve English learners’ skill in speaking. Matqurbonova Ro’zaxon explores different methods of improving spoken word fluency in language learners. Husanboyeva Nargiza highlights the potential of new digital technologies in education.

Other contributors reinterpret language in concrete and abstract ways. Jerome Berglund renders different poetic forms into concrete images. Noah Berlatsky contributes a humorous poem about procrastination that uses repetition as a literary device. Christina Chin and Uchechukwu Onyedikam craft joint tan-renga poems, finishing each other’s pieces with images of music, nature, rest, and memories. Rus Khomutoff’s concrete poetry takes us on a journey of surrealism, music, and romance.

Like Khomutoff, other writers travel deep into their own psyches. Brian Barbeito reflects on his thought process and creative journeys, considering how he both opens his mind to emptiness and enlightenment and, like a skilled hockey player, remembers the basics of his craft. On another note, Nigar Nurulla Khalilova evokes writers’ block and an intense, foul mood as harsh as the Arab Simoom wind.

Mesfakus Salahin ponders the fragility of human identity and self-concept. Mark Young’s poetry explores creative processes, relationships, and the search for meaning. Texas Fontanella’s music digs deep for a dose of duende. Tagrid Bou Merhi draws on train travel as a metaphor for introspection and longing for one’s past or future. Stephen Jarrell Williams crafts a series of verses describing a person’s inner struggle and renewal. Ari Nystrom-Rice explores identity, wondering who he truly is underneath the surface. Mexribon Shodiyeva’s poetry celebrates the fragile butterfly and the beauty of being yourself. Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna relates having had the courage to free herself from an unhealthy situation and walk her own path.

Paul Cordeiro speaks to the aftermath of significant relationships and events and to how our feelings can reshape our memories. On a less serious level, Mark Blickley develops a farcical story of unemployment fraud inspired by a photo of a man with a sheep skull, where a character invests deeply into reinventing himself.

On a more cosmic level, Jack Mellender’s work looks at space, time, and humanity’s place in the universe. Ummnusalma Nasir Mukhtar relates a fanciful and expansive dream where she traveled to the moon and stars and gathered her strength. Jacques Fleury’s photography encourages us to view life from different vantage points, exploring concepts as varied as travel, physical attraction, thought, and justice.

Duane Vorhees reflects on ancient archetypes and how we tell stories about ourselves. Sayani Mukherjee reflects on the constant turbulence of human and natural history. Dr. Jernail S. Anand probes some basic paradoxes of modern human life.

Rezauddin Stalin reflects on the beauty and the price of freedom as Blue Chynoweth reflects on the blessing and curse of being able to contemplate one’s place in the universe rather than living by instinct.

Mahbub Alam wonders whether love or self-destruction will win the day. As a person of faith grappling with these issues, Chimezie Ihekuna addresses life’s seemingly intractable struggles, suffering, and human evil, and also God’s implacable goodness in a paradoxical couplet of poems. Lilian Dipasupil’s paired poems take a similar approach, warning of child kidnapping while honoring the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

As writers, one of the ways we can respond to evil is to bear witness and document it as a warning. This is one of the roles of journalism. Davronova Asilabonu affirms the value of journalism and speculates on the field’s future.

More traditionally literary writing can bear witness as well. Yucheng Tao provides a sobering reminder of the historical massacres of the indigenous people of the American West by European settlers and of many Cambodians later in history by the Khmer Rouge. Z.I. Mahmud explores how Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles brought realism into detective fiction, illustrating the monstrosity of human greed and vengeance. Rahmat Muhammad laments how people where she lives in northern Nigeria no longer honor elders and ancestors as much as they should.

Yet, history has not all been bleak, and people have developed some magnificent works. Christopher Bernard reviews the energizing performance of Grupo Corpo at Berkeley’s Cal Performances, highlighting how the dances reflect various aspects of Brazilian culture. Federico Wardal outlines the accomplishments of celebrated actor Massimo Sangalli. Jeffrey Levert delves into history and philosophy as he wanders the back pathways of a remote Greek island. Graciela Noemi Villaverde poetizes on the beauty of old books and the sorrow of losing or forgetting the words inside.

Shuhratbekova Gulzoda describes the historical contributions of the humanist Jadid leaders of Uzbekistan to art, literature, science, and culture. Dilobar Maxmarejabova expresses her pride in her Uzbek heritage and her hometown of Qashqadaryo. Hashimjonova Durdana affirms her pride in her Uzbek heritage and culture. Nozima Gofurova outlines the many achievements of today’s Uzbek youth.

Bhagirath Choudhary points to the role of literature in terms of helping people and societies evolve to become more humane. Dr. Jernail S. Anand illuminates the power of art and literature to touch people’s hearts and souls and inspire wiser and more compassionate behavior.

Alexander Klujev highlights connections between Russian music and Russian philosophy and how both honor the triumph of life over death.

Various contributions celebrate different aspects of life. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva enjoys a picnic with her classmates on a sunny spring day. Su Yun evokes the struggle and beauty of flowers growing in an urban environment. Isabel Gomez de Diego photographs childhood exuberance in a neighborhood where humans coexist with nature, trees and bike paths near city apartments. Eva Petropoulou Lianou crafts a story around the evocatively named “Hero’s Path,” a hiking trail near a European monastery. She finds simple joy in nature and travel. Manik Chakraborty takes poetic inspiration from misty mountains as Taro Hokkyo honors his muse and the land on which he writes.

Marjona Jorayeva Baxtiyorovna expresses her respect for women and the feminine, which she links to nurturing and compassion. Gulsanam Qurbonova celebrates the tender nurturing of a mother’s love. Vo Thi Nhu Mai reflects on the warmth and tenderness of her childhood in Vietnam and how that inspired her creativity. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography captures vintage childhood images: Snoopy, old Easter themed toys, a colorful frog, even possibly Dad’s aftershave. David Sapp enters the mind of a three-year-old, excited about cereal and dogs. Marjona Jo’rayeva relates her enthusiasm for a fresh term at school.

Kristy Raines expresses the simple yet profound joy of two souls finding true love and choosing each other. Eid Saleh writes in English and Arabic of the meeting of souls in a similar way, and refers both to romance and to close friendship. Qaraboyeva Zilola expresses the tender urgency, trepidation, and obsession of young love. Marley Manalo-Ladicho ignites a fiery love feast in his poetry.

However, as Taylor Dibbert points out in his brief poem, romances, and other sources of happiness, aren’t guaranteed to last.

Tuliyeva Sarvinoz’ elegant poetry laments lost love as Mirta Liliana Ramirez honors the memory of a beloved, asserting that she’s not yet ready to move forward. Eva Petropoulou Lianou touches on the tenderness of human hearts and how many of us carry emotional trauma. J.J. Campbell’s poems describe a soul’s slow descent into misery and cynicism. Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal speaks to social and psychological entrapment, stuck with folks tired of his old stories. Linda S. Gunther’s short story “Bake Me a Banyan Tree” explores what we owe our loved ones and how far we would go for them.

Eric Barr’s poetry reflects the realities of navigating life after a stroke. Manik Chakraborty laments destruction caused by a fire as Mykyta Ryzhykh reimagines the Three Little Pigs into a futuristic dystopia in light of environmental destruction. Don Bormon evokes extreme desert heat and the specter of climate change.

Alex S. Johnson takes us on a mythical journey to transmute sorrow in a poem translated into Greek by Cassandra Alogoskoufi.

Sometimes what one needs to overcome suffering isn’t as complex as alchemy, but can just be time at home curled up with one’s cat. Nicholas Gunther’s poem describes a weary soul’s desire to return home after a long journey. Bill Tope’s short story explores how a senior cat helped bring an older woman out of depression after society made both feel useless.

We hope that Synchronized Chaos can inspire creativity, bear witness to the joys and pains of the world, and transform sorrow and stagnation. Please enjoy this issue!

A dream…

becomes reality

The Hero’s Path

Once upon a time there was a girl full of dreams and hopes.

He liked mountain climbing and walking in the mountains.

Iro was a great soul, she loved animals, birds, trees, nature, and exploring the forest.

So one day in Politika, she discovered a Hero’s Path, unique, that no one knew about…no one had walked it except her.

Iro decided to share her path with friends and confided in her parents about her big dream.

I would like to create a path where everyone can take a walk in nature, but they will be able to admire the trees, the birds, children will be able to come into contact with nature and play, and climbers will be able to do their favorite sport.

“We’ll do it,” both parents said happily.

But the evil wizard who lived far away on a rock, did not let the beautiful Hero live her dream. He sent a dragon darker than him and wounded her in the chest with disease.

Our Hero fought, as a heroine, every day, every moment, every minute with armies of dark forces.

Unfortunately, her heart was weak…she didn’t make it.

But her soul, by the grace of God, transformed into a butterfly 

and she stayed on her favorite Hero’s path, along with her parents, greeting passersby.

So one summer month, I and other friends met, with the aim of reciting poems about Irene, at the Hero’s Theater.

We had a great time and everything was done with love and respect.

When at the end the abbess of the Monastery of Panagia of Perivleptou, Mariam, sang a wonderful song dedicated to Iro’s mother, Giorgos Chryssi Marangou, we all gasped.

Our story does not end here, I had to, as President of Greece, representative for the Mil Mentes Por Mexico association International, share the wonderful event that we organized with the help and support of George Pratzikos, Iro’s family and all the wonderful poets who took part…

I should have shared it with the President.

DrA Jeanette Eureka Tiburcio of the organization and of course I talked to them about the Hero’s Path, Hero’s parents, their wonderful work who, with effort, love and respect for their child’s dream… have created a wonderful marked path, friendly to everyone.

In November at the largest event, held in Rome by two organizations

Global federation of leadership and high intelligence Mexico and Unacc India, at the Pontifical University Antonianum, Rome

50 important women from around the world were awarded for their contributions to culture and literature, as well as for their general contribution to their country.

Chrissi Marangou was among the 50 important women and I feel proud to have nominated her for this very important award that has now found its place in the

Path of the Hero.

I feel proud to be an Ambassador of the Hero’s Path, and I continue to promote all the events and all the needs of …

I feel proud and deeply grateful that my own poem dedicated to the heroine, for me Hero, also found its place, and the visitor, ascending for the first route, can read my poem, The Butterfly 

Then, leave a few flowers or say a prayer at the Hero’s monument and then let his soul fly there among the trees.

Thank you to everyone who did this wonderful job, including the graphic designer Ms. Kanari.

the people who continue to work on the Hero’s Path.

The parents of Giorgos Chryssi Marangou who continue…and dream

Abbess Mariam

I suggest you take a trip to Politika, Psachna, Evia.

Give a big hug to Chrissi Marangou and George

Go to the Monastery of Panagia Perivleptou and light two candles.

Maine

I see the ship that took me through the gates of Erebus, and down into sulfurous Tartarus.

It had flown through the cold air for three thousand miles, 

Far away from my cold Ithaca,

Just to deliver me to the warm air of suffering.

I was obligated to come here, too this burning place

Without a choice, without the ability to opt out.

Forced to endure hard earthed grounds, and sleep deprivation.

Without the ability to bargain with Hades.

My attempts to rest are broken by the Erinyes,

ripping at my soft flesh, my knees shattering under their whips.

I wait a month for my freedom, a break from my shackles.

For the φθινόπωρο, for Eurus to carry me home on soft autumnal winds.

For the return to my cold Ithaca.  

There is a conversation between souls that only the heart can hear (English Version)

The meeting of souls… a language only the heart understands

In a time filled with noise, silence is sometimes the most eloquent means of understanding. In a world governed by material relationships and false appearances, the meeting of souls still holds a profound secret that cannot be explained or written about, but rather felt and experienced.

What is the meeting of souls?

It is a feeling that cannot be begged for or contrived. When you meet another soul, you feel comfortable with them without prior acquaintance, and you feel as if they have been inside you for a long time. You know them, and they know you, they hear you without speaking, and they sense you even from thousands of miles away. It is that silent understanding, a harmony that needs no justification, and a presence that does not ask for permission.

Souls meet before bodies

Ibn al-Qayyim, may God have mercy on him, said: “Souls are conscripted soldiers. Those that recognize each other will get along, and those that do not recognize each other will disagree.”

This statement clearly indicates that souls may reunite before their companions’ bodies meet in this world, as if there were a previous world where good souls reunited. When they meet on earth, they recognize each other without warning.

The meeting of souls is not bound by time.

You may meet someone for a single moment and feel closer to them than anyone you’ve known for decades. You may spend years with others without feeling any real connection with them. Meetings are not governed by time, but by honesty, transparency of feelings, and purity of intention.

Is it love? Friendship? Or something deeper?

The meeting of souls cannot be summed up in a single mold. It may be love, friendship, or a fleeting relationship that remains etched in the memory. But it always leaves an indelible mark on the soul and teaches us that the most beautiful bonds are built not with words, but with sincere feelings.

Why do we long for certain souls?

Because, quite simply, our souls know who they like and are drawn to those who are similar to them. We may miss someone we haven’t spent enough time with, but we have experienced a rare, unforgettable feeling with them.

In conclusion…

The meeting of souls is a divine gift that doesn’t come every day, or with just anyone. It’s a hidden blessing and a reminder that what unites people is much deeper than appearance, name, or circumstances.

If you find someone who you feel is similar in spirit to you, hold on to them and be honest with them. That moment may not happen twice.

تلاقي الأرواح… لغة لا يفهمها إلا القلب

في زمنٍ امتلأ بالضجيج، بات الصمت أحيانًا أبلغ وسيلة للفهم. وفي عالم تحكمه العلاقات المادية والمظاهر الزائفة، لا يزال تلاقي الأرواح يحمل سرًا عميقًا لا يُفسر ولا يُكتب، بل يُحَسّ ويُعاش.

ما هو تلاقي الأرواح؟

هو شعور لا يُستَجدى ولا يُفتعل. حين تلتقي بروحٍ أخرى فترتاح لها دون سابق معرفة، وتشعر وكأنها كانت في داخلك منذ زمن، تعرفها وتعرفك، تَسمعك دون أن تتكلم، وتشعر بك ولو من خلف آلاف الأميال. إنه ذلك التفاهم الصامت، الانسجام الذي لا يحتاج لتبرير، والحضور الذي لا يطلب إذنًا.

الأرواح تتلاقى قبل الأجساد

قال ابن القيم رحمه الله: “الأرواح جنود مجندة، ما تعارف منها ائتلف، وما تناكر منها اختلف.”

وفي هذا القول إشارة واضحة إلى أن الأرواح قد تتآلف قبل أن تتلاقى أجساد أصحابها في الدنيا، وكأن هنالك عالمًا سابقًا تآلفت فيه الأرواح الطيبة، فحين تلتقي في الأرض، تميّز بعضها البعض دون مقدمات.

تلاقي الأرواح لا يرتبط بالزمن

قد تلتقي شخصًا للحظة واحدة، فتشعر أنه أقرب إليك من كل من عرفتهم لعقود. وقد تمضي مع آخرين أعوامًا، دون أن تشعر معهم بأي تواصل حقيقي. فالتلاقي لا يحكمه الزمن، بل الصدق، وشفافية المشاعر، ونقاء النية.

هل هو حب؟ صداقة؟ أم شيء أعمق؟

تلاقي الأرواح لا يمكن أن يُختصر في قالبٍ واحد. فقد يكون حبًا، وقد يكون صداقة، وقد يكون علاقة عابرة تبقى محفورة في الذاكرة. لكنه دائمًا يترك في النفس أثرًا لا يُمحى، ويعلمنا أن أجمل الروابط لا تُبنى بالكلام، بل بالشعور الصادق.

لماذا نشتاق لأرواح بعينها؟

لأن أرواحنا، ببساطة، تعرف من يطيب لها، وتنجذب لمن يشبهها. وقد نشتاق إلى من لم نعش معه وقتًا كافيًا، لكننا عشنا معه شعورًا نادرًا، لا يمكن نسيانه.

في الختام…

تلاقي الأرواح هو منحة إلهية، لا تأتي كل يوم، ولا مع أي أحد. هي رزق خفي، وتذكير لنا أن ما يجمع البشر أعمق بكثير من الشكل أو الاسم أو الظروف.

فإن وجدت من تشعر بأنه يشبهك روحًا، فتمسك به، وكن صادقًا معه، فقد لا تتكرر تلك اللحظة مرتين.

Truss tissues

“Believe me,” he said;

which meant I im-

mediately didn’t. &

that more a testament

to my cynicism than to

his lack of credibility.

A done deal

He refused to talk

about the past.  It’s

a done deal he

would say, something

you cannot change

even if you wanted

to.  That was the

public face. Privately

he was reinventing it,

rearranging it in a way

that made it more

palatable to remember,

more profitable for a

later presentation.

A Mango Mantra

      i.m. RKS

It is the longest night of the year.

I am thinking of you tonight. A

circuitous route as to how I got

here, starting off by turning poems

over in my head, one in particular

coming to mind, no special significance

in it, apart from the time of writing.

Tipping & I intoning a mango mantra

onto a tape which we sent off, a variety of

intonations as in man go, woman goes also,

through to Vincent Man Gogh. & then

the thought of the fruit itself, & the ideal

way to prepare it, to slice it & then score the

flesh so that when bent it presents itself

as a series of mango cubes, edible LEGO®.

A faint but bitter memory

Jerked us around

she did, telling us to

go here, to go there, no

place recognizable,

each much the same

as the last, as the

others.  Finally

came to one we did

recognize — she saying

look, they obviously don’t

know who you are, don’t

trust you, but they know

me, will deal with me.

Give me the money &

I’ll be back in five minutes.

Fame & Fable

It seems that many of the

inventors still talked about

never saw their work brought

into being — take da Vinci’s

lens grinder, Babbage’s Diffe-

rence Engine. Others talked,

made things, but never existed.

Are equally celebrated for the

failures of their fables. Such as

Daedalus’ who has a plinth to

himself — the wings with wax

which melted & cast Icarus

into the sea, the labyrinth on

Crete unraveled by a thread.

The circus comes to town

The precision of the acro-

bats & the random actions

of the clowns contrast to

create a tension which

the ringmaster disperses

when he slices through it

whipcracking on a white

horse & surrounded by

his elegant assistants.

But the progress of the

circus parade is still dic-

tated by the pace of the

elephants & the amount

of shit they leave behind.