I really appreciate today’s offering and it is good to be made aware of the humanity of those who suffer. I follow a lot of first hand witnesses to the devastation in Gaza and it opens my eyes to the brutality and helps to keep awareness active in my mind. What often gets glazed over is these more subtle things, things that are taken for granted, like dreaming. Of thinking of the future. Darwish has a way of delivering that to the reader that always stuns me. Thank you for today’s reflection on his poetry.
On a side note, As a parent of a tenth grader, I appreciate teachers like yourself and the work you do to encourage and celebrate these kids. It is such a privilege and joy to have an engaging teacher. It is a gift that will be with those students for the rest of their lives.
First I want to thank you for bringing Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar to my attention last May, which is when I put it on hold at our public library, finding myself at the end of a long line of people waiting to read it. Finished Martyr! last night and am stunned by how much that great book relates to your post today. War. Life. Dreams. Death. Martyrs. Poetry.
Did not realize that John Berger was one of the translators of Mahmoud Darwish's poetry. John Berger's translation of Mahmoud Darwish's poetic voice reminds in some ways of Kaveh Akbar's voice.
Martyr! Was a great book! Kaveh Akbar has some good poetry as well. One of my favorites involves hitting a springy door stop while praying with his brother and then both collapsing into laughter!
I really appreciate today’s offering and it is good to be made aware of the humanity of those who suffer. I follow a lot of first hand witnesses to the devastation in Gaza and it opens my eyes to the brutality and helps to keep awareness active in my mind. What often gets glazed over is these more subtle things, things that are taken for granted, like dreaming. Of thinking of the future. Darwish has a way of delivering that to the reader that always stuns me. Thank you for today’s reflection on his poetry.
On a side note, As a parent of a tenth grader, I appreciate teachers like yourself and the work you do to encourage and celebrate these kids. It is such a privilege and joy to have an engaging teacher. It is a gift that will be with those students for the rest of their lives.
Thank you, John. Appreciate you reading, and I appreciate your reflections and gratitude and that ever-active awareness. Thanks always.
First I want to thank you for bringing Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar to my attention last May, which is when I put it on hold at our public library, finding myself at the end of a long line of people waiting to read it. Finished Martyr! last night and am stunned by how much that great book relates to your post today. War. Life. Dreams. Death. Martyrs. Poetry.
Did not realize that John Berger was one of the translators of Mahmoud Darwish's poetry. John Berger's translation of Mahmoud Darwish's poetic voice reminds in some ways of Kaveh Akbar's voice.
Thank you so much for your Sunday posts.
Martyr! Was a great book! Kaveh Akbar has some good poetry as well. One of my favorites involves hitting a springy door stop while praying with his brother and then both collapsing into laughter!
Sunday morning service!