Love , Passion, War

I'm still hearing the words "Who owns the sky," and the words about the younger cousin who thinks there are monsters under his/her bed, the mother holding the hours-old baby who's skin has turned to ash, mothers, fathers, wives, images electrifying, horrifying, real. Images and words from messages of people in Lebanon and Palestine and here were woven together this evening with voices and instruments singing. In the face of denial and amnesia, these words, voices, and music rose and made heat. Heat radiating from energy transformed through creativity. The best kind of heat to be warmed by. This was "Cease Fire: An evening of poetry and music against the siege of Lebanon and Palestine" at La Pena Cultural Center, an evening organized by Elmaz Abindader and Nadine Ghammache. They are women of community and heart and we are fortunate to have them here in the Bay Area. We are fortunate to have them in the world. These times are not easy and as was said, putting the rage, grief, sadness, frustration into art is what artists do. Amen