One Well Placed Word by Stephen Craig Rowe

      I once wrote that one well placed word can change the world forever as one well placed stone can topple the strongest wall and at the time did so in a poetic context.  Recent events have shown that this is true.  The revolution in Tunisia inspired by the act of fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi is an example of the innate human desire to improve not only one's lot but to improve the common good.  It is reported that Bouazizi refused to pay a bribe in order to operate his fruit stand, he was then slapped by the official and his scale was confiscated.  When he went to the officials to reclaim his scale he was refused entrance.  He then bought some petrol and lit himself afire in front of the office.  A well  placed word, a small stone placed to topple the wall of oppression has freed his people.

     This act in Tunisia has inspired others in the region to demonstrate for human rights, freedom from oppression caused by age old dictators, kings and queens appointed by themselves, rule with a total disregard for the people, enrich their own coffers while the subjects suffer.  This is not a new story as this sort of management of affairs has been going on forever.  Make the rich richer and fuck the people has been the rule.  Pretend to care, give a little here and there for personal gain and fuck the people into poverty.  Well, Kings and Queens, those that rule.  One well placed word, act, and small stone is about to tumble the wall and change the world forever. Or so it seems. 

     I for one pray for peace, the right of people to choose a government of and by the people. 

As ever be well.  Stephen Craig Rowe

PAINTING STUDIO And The Snow Queen by Stephen Craig Rowe

     The Snow Queen sighed as she saw the ridge bathed in an early evening light, with all but a few leaves fallen and cast a color rather like rust, rose and something in between in a moment before dusk.  In a deer stunned moment birds became silent as chill winds brought the first dust of snow that soon became rich full flakes as one would see in a movie drifting in the last sun rays upon the ridge.  Fall hung on her arbor as a leaf fell in silence as quiet as snow, as silent as a tear, and there but for a moments grace a sigh in the wind gave the face of Fall to the Snow Queen's kiss, and all night long, then through the day the ridge and lands where covered in white.  Some say they see Angels, some say it's just cold rain falling and some say the change of seasons is magic that no words can tell. 

     The Snow Queen smiles as some bring indoors the outdoors with pines, green wreaths, cones and things that recall fall.  Put up lights, make music and merriment with family and friends.  Recall all of those near and dear, here and gone that make us who we are in the present and in memories. 

    Some say they see Angels and the Snow Queen Smiles.  Some say the season is magic, and as ever be well,  Stephen Craig Rowe

    

SAUDADE REVISITED

This is the first Christmas Season without my Father. I miss him very much and though he is in my blood, bones, heart and soul. He is often in my thoughts. This is why I am reposting the following piece.

SAUDADE


A poem in my own words inspired by JouElam+Sofie http://mudosdaventuras.spaces.live.com/



INTRODUCTION: SAUDADE is a Portugese word that was given

to me in love and friendship. I can not translate this word, I

can only write what I feel.



Saudade



Echo in the valley

Cry in the night

Free and alone

Trickle in the

moon lit streams

That flow from

My eyes

onto the windows

In the keypad

That scratches

Only a high held note

The Violin

Trembles

Splashing wine

On streets that shine

With tears soaked in

Memory

Of those near and dear.

Of those that have ever been and ever shall be.

Of those that have risen'

Of those that sing

Of those that are

Of the Light and Spirit.

Of the woods, rain, forests, grasses, trees, limbs and

Leaf sparkle

Dew drip dawning

Rainbow brow smile

Reflect the night Sky

Stars

Dance in

The glistening drop

Waving at the shore

Foaming and breaking on the rocks

Receed, Smile at the Moon.

Reflect in the pond

Skipping stones

and remember.

SAUDADE,

Home is where the

Art is, forever home

Or away

Within the All.





SAUDADE! As ever be well. With love, Stephen Craig Rowe





Saudade







Ecoa no vale



pranto na noite



livre e abandonada



lua de fluxos brilhantes



iluminando os minúsculos córregos



que escorrem debruçados



nas janelas dos meus olhos



apenas a tecla em arrepios



tremúlos



é o sustenido



o violino



segurando uma nota altíssima



derramando o vinho do nosso copo



nas ruas encharcadas



pelo cintilar



da memória das lágrimas



de todos os que nos são intímos e queridos.



de todos aqueles que sempre foram,estiveram



são, estão, serão e estarão connosco



todos aqueles



que cantam



todos aqueles que são



luz do espírito



dos bosques, das florestas , das chuvas , da relva , das arvores , dos troncos , das folhas



faísca



gota d' orvalho amanhecendo



sorriso na sobrancelha do arco-íris



estrelas



reflectidas no Céu noturno







A Stephen Craig Rowe Poem



Translation And Adaptation By JouElam



A very touched thank you to our Dear Friend Stephen



Author's note: It is I who thank you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. As ever be well. With love. Stephen Craig Rowe

Has Man A Future? A Quote By Bertrand Russell

I am re reading HAS MAN A FUTURE? Written by Bertrand Russell and came upon the following quote:
" If the world would live for a few generations without war, war
would come to seem as absurd as dueling has come to seem to us.
No doubt there would still be some homicidal maniacs, but they
would no longer be heads of Governments." Bertrand Russell


As ever be well,
Stephen Craig Rowe