Poem: Burning by Sean Hopwood

Burning

By Sean Hopwood

A light bulb with never be able to replicate the beauty

In the pure and simple randomness of a flame

Be it a simple flicker

Or a roaring blaze untamed

From a simple spark it burns

With passion, love, and life

And creates in the room a presence

That you can cut with a knife

A flame burns long and strong

As long as you give it air

And warms the heart and mind

Of all those who are there

It glimmers, twinkles, and flashes

In a delicate battle of wind and flame

As you stare at it in worry

Of this odd and precarious game

It lives to burn and burns to live

Strong as life and the beat of the heart

But if comes a strong gust and blows it out

There is always a match and chance to restart

Famous December Celebrations: Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa

The number of festivals around the world is too many to determine, in truth hitherto, the count goes on and accumulates. They run from age-old religious ceremonies, commemoration of historical events, homage to distinguished persons, to arbitrary secular festivities (national, communal or cultural). As societies change through time, some festivals become less popular or they diminish altogether, most of the long-standing ones continue to thrive and refashioned to fit the modern times, while others evolve and spawn new or altered traditions. Nevertheless, some basic points remain, and wherever these festivals are observed, they share common elements, like food and big banquets, special clothing, gaiety activities, parades, amongst the rest. As to the answer on how and why they have emerged in the first place varies, it can be to preserve customs and folktales, or oftentimes it’s a matter of opinion (and decision) of those at the helm.

Lost in translation, again and again?

Image courtesy of bbc.co.uk. Darwin: The voyage of the Beagle.

In ancient times, rulers of powerful nations in the west relentlessly finance extended and extravagant expeditions to discover more secrets that lay beyond the long-stretched horizon – lands and treasures they dare seek, or perchance nameless inhabitants of different color and culture.

At present, the itinerant behavior never wavered. In fact, people move around in such a customary haste these days for personal or business reason - the world seems so small. Conquering distance by land, water and air has never been easy. Suffice it to say, distance is just one of any traveler’s worries and most often than not, it's not even a major consideration. So what is, or what are? Generally, it's all about understanding the country and its sociology. A traveler has to fully blend in to the society; into its culture; with its people; by first learning the language otherwise, all is lost in translation. How will someone appreciate the beauty or fathom whatever ugliness there is, if everything else is lost in context?