Time . . .
time . . .
time . . .
time flies . . .
time crawls . . .
time flows . . .
time stalls . . .
time . . .
time . . .
time . . .
5 December 2011
DL 6056
Air traffic hold
The door closes, the jet-way withdraws,
the plane backs away from
the gate.
Clearing the gate, the pilot turns
the plane; it enters
the runway.
Taxiing down the runway,
the plan pulls to one side
and waits
for the word to be given.
5 December 2011
DL 180
Jean-Claude Roger Mbede – Cameroon
Letter two in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon was written and sent today. Today’s letter went to the President of Cameroon on behalf of Jean-Claude Roger Mbede.
Amnesty International reports that Mr. Mbede is serving three years in prison on charges of homosexuality based on his perceived sexual orientation. My letter asks for his immediate and unconditional release. It further calls the President of Cameroon to ensure the safety of Mr. Mbede in prison. Finally it urges the President of Cameroon to work for the repeal of the section of the country’s Penal Code under which Mr. Mbede has been imprisoned.
Sign up to participate in the Write-a-thon.
Find resources for the Write-a-thon, including sample letters to adapt.
Learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international human rights framework.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Human Rights
Maybe not everything
For several days in a row last week, I passed this food truck last week as I walked to work. It brought back fond memories of the International Peace Convocation in Jamaica – jerk chicken for lunch and dinner; tiny hot dogs in sweet and sour sauce for breakfast.
Finally the day came when I left Grand Central Station with a plan to stop at the food truck for lunch.
Of course, that was the day that the truck apparently parked elsewhere.
Timing might not be everything, but it sure is a lot.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Photo
Shine A Light on Freedom of Expression
I sent my first letter in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon today. I wrote to the President of Azerbaijan on behalf of Jabbar Savalan.
Here is how Amnesty describes Jabbar’s situation:
Hours after posting a Facebook message calling for protests against the government, Jabbar Savalan told his family that he was being followed. The next evening, police brought him to a police station, where they “discovered” marijuana in his outer coat pocket. Questioning him without a lawyer for two days, police reportedly hit and intimidated him to make him sign a confession. Jabbar Savalan maintained that he does not use drugs and that the marijuana was planted on him. Authorities in Azerbaijan have a history of using trumped-up drug charges to jail those seen as critical of the government. Amnesty International believes the charges against Jabbar were fabricated, and considers him a prisoner of conscience.
Sign up to participate in the Write-a-thon.
Find resources for the Write-a-thon, including sample letters to adapt.
Learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international human rights framework.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Human Rights
Words can save lives
Will you write a letter to save a life?
I will.
Tonight I signed up to participate in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon.
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world will take part in the Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon; Amnesty International calls it the world’s largest human rights event:
Through letters, cards and more, we take action to demand that the human rights of individuals are respected, protected and fulfilled. We show solidarity with those suffering human rights abuses, and work to bring about positive change in people’s lives.
Words carry great power. Amnesty International helps us put our words to use in the cause of human rights. Our words can bring hope to a prisoner. They can expose the corners of torture chambers. They can offer courage to those who defend human rights. They can challenge the powers that be. They can set the oppressed free. They can save lives.
Sign up now to Write for Rights!
I will post about my writing. I invite you to let me know what you write.
And I will see you along the Trail.
Filed under Human Rights
At Dobby’s grave
As do many DVDs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 contains a number of deleted scenes.
In one, Harry and Luna Lovegood engage in a conversation at the grave of Dobby the House Elf. He rescued them (and others) when the Death-Eaters held them prisoner at Malfoy Manor. As they made their escape, Bellatrix Lestrange threw a knife that struck and killed Dobby.
Harry is about to set off with Ron and Hermione to find a horcrux in the Lestrange’s vault at Gringott’s. Luna will return to Hogwarts. They exchange the following words as they part.
Harry: Hogwarts? It’s the not the place you left, you know. It’s not the same.
Luna: Neither am I.
How many situations do those words fit?
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Movie
Pictures and words
I have decided to post a series that works through the alphabet with pictures. This could get interesting. I found a picture of a bee and determined that the title would be “B” is for bee. Pretty original, I know.
That led me to think – what if I did this for each letter of the alphabet. If I did, I would want to start at the beginning. I turned back to my pictures and found an “A.” I prepared to post the picture and then found myself thinking – how might this become more challenging – and more interesting.
For example – what if I chose all pictures from National Parks? Or Ghost Ranch? Or peacemaking events? Or family trips?
Now it occurs to me – what if I wrote a brief reflection? I had originally thought about identifying the place and date of the picture. But maybe I could write more.
Perhaps I should call it quits for the night before this gets too complicated.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Photo
Speaking’s practice
Days silently pass:
no words said.
He wonders if
speaking’s practice,
now diminished,
will some day
disappear.
29 November 2011
DL 1573
Filed under Poem
