Ending 2008 with Bombs and Blood

So much for the promise of change, peace and a better world. 

Israel opened the borders to Gaza. Supplies were needed. A humanitarian crisis of inhuman proportions. Only to begin an air strike (with "surgical precision") that has left 271 Palestinians dead. No New Year's Eve for them - their fireworks are way too real. 

I was at the protest today outside the Israeli Embassy. There was a great turnout and the crowds were waving the flag high, shouting chants of Free Free Palestine. The cause will never be short of its supporters and the shouts of protest will never cease as long as the occupation continues. 

As John and Yoko said all those years ago (their relevance will transcend time), War Is Over. If you want it.

 

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday dear cousin Fairuz.
On this day yourself you must amuse.
Sing in the streets, dance in puddles.
On this day you have no chagrin or no troubles.

Happy birthday and enjoy your day.
Have some cake, balloons and happiness.
All on a glittering and blinding tray.
It's a day of fun and laughter and fanciness.

Tricks, Plates and Turkish Delights.

Tricks are those you play on me.
Plates are what we eat on.
Turkish Delights are what we eat.

The Ottoman Sultan is on his throne.
Under his turban, all you see is his beard and two feet.
He is smoking a pipe and drinking mint tea.

The Grand Vizier is contemplating his fate.
He's writing policies and is not alone
In his room, the lights are luminated low, breeze from the Bosphorous sea.

Tricks and kings and desire and affairs of state and evening twlight.
Miniature paintings and capitulations and my heart's on a throne
Whenever I am eating Turkish Delights.