My Fire


Last Tuesday was a day of firsts. It was the first time I had gone on vacation without my family. It was the first time I had hiked for three hours without any idea where I was going. It was the first time I found over six ticks on my legs and had to pull them out. It was the first time I started a fire. It was the first time I attempted and failed to cook baked potatoes on camp fire. It was the first and only time I turned twenty three. It was a day filled with adventure. It was a great day spent with a very dear friend.
The lesson we learned from the day is we need to go camping without guys more often we learn more cause they won't do it for us - now I will argue that its not really guys but anyone who is more knowledgeable who can hinder you from learning new skills. To truly become proficient in something I must do it with my own two hands.
Here is my new first done with my own two hands. Enjoy the pictures from camping :).
Sunset

A poet cries for peace

I recently finished a book entitled "Notes From the Hyena's Belly" by Nega Mezlekia. It is his autobiography of growing up in Ethiopia. He writes about Ethiopian poetry.
"In Ethiopia, poetry is second only to the achievements of kings. Poets are sought after and treasured with great reverence by the ruling class. In ancient times , poets were invited to read to the king's palace and light up the festivities at a feudal lord's manor by composing odes that both celebrated triumphs over adversaries and advised the lord of the condition of his serfs" page 39-40
Mezlekia goes on to say that the poet could speak of the true plight of the peasant and plead on his behalf because the lord would do him no harm as he was only fulfilling his duty.
Following those lines I post here a poem many of you have heard me recite and which I wrote.

Let there be peace on Earth

“By violence I mean any way you have of violating the identity and integrity of another person” -Parker Palmer

To Christianize the nations

we require you look like us,

talk like us, and act like us.

You must embrace capitalism

and a democratic government.

This is the Christian thing to do.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now

I come to the Christian nation.

You wear our clothes, an old

T-shirt from a school

over here. You stare at us

amazed. We are who you want

to be. Well fed and clean.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow

You stare at us with yellow eyes

and rotting teeth. Your belly protruding

like a latex balloon. Your eyes

are empty like the bowl you

use for food. Let me help

you look like me.

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me

You fled from the country

to escape famine and war.

Your people’s lands were

taken that they may be used

to better your nation, with

tall buildings and roads.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now

Now your cattle have nowhere to roam.

Your crops cannot grow. Come to the city.

To pursue the great dream and escape

the madness of your home. Enter the city

to be stripped of everything – that you may be me.

Start a roadside stand selling “authentic” Kenyan art.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow

Kenya was a nation of many tribes

but now it’s best if you forget

that. You should have

one language and one name.

Come we will put you next to

this tribe. No, don’t tell me the history.

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me

Dream of brick houses and running water.

A car or two. Work hard and they will be

provided for you. It’s been four generations

and here you sit poorer than before. Get up

stop being lazy, get out of the muck. Be proud

of your heritage. But, wait who am I?

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

- peace

Hello,
I just realized that there are two email addresses in my support letter and one of them is incorrect. They both have the same name but different addresses. The correct @ is @gmail.com. So, if you have been unable to email me or have not had a reply to your email, simply use the same name and put @gmail.com not anderson.com and I should reply in a day or two.
thanks