Merci

Lights will guide you home.

The typical Bildungsroman novel tells the tale about the growing up or coming of age of a person looking for answers and experience. It usually involves a young man going out in the world to seek his fortune but also comes in more benign forms in recent adaptations with the protagonist looking for career, love, acceptance. Usually, in the beginning of the story there is an emotional loss or conflict which makes the protagonist leave on his journey. In a Bildungsroman novel, the goal is maturity and this is achieved gradually but with difficulty. The Bildungsroman novel is the epitome of the journey being more important than the destination. But to me the end is important too, as is knowing when the journey has come to an end. Literature is a reflection of life but unlike a Bildungsroman's novel such as Great Expectations, life doesn't allow us to re-write the end and acceptance of the ending and what it entails is perhaps as important and as difficult as the journey. The End.

'I have often thought of you', said Estella.
'Have you?'
'Of late, very often. There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth. But, since my duty has not been incompatible with the admission of that remembrance, I have given it a place in my heart.'
'You have always held your place in my heart,' I answered.
And we were silent again until she spoke.
'I little thought,' said Estella, 'that I should take leave of you in taking leave of this spot. I am very glad to do so.'
Glad to part again, Estella? To me parting is a painful thing. To me, the remembrance of our last parting has been ever mournful and painful.'
'But you said to me,' returned Estella, very earnestly, "God bless you, God forgive you!" And if you could say that to me then, you will not hesitate to say that to me now - now, when suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better shape. Be as considerate and good to me as you were , and tell me we are friends.'
'We are friends,' said I, rising and bending over her, as she rose from the bench.
'And will continue friends apart,' said Estella.
I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and as, the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expense of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.
~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Damascus

A friendly face in the crowd.

As more blood is shed in Syria we should not for a moment think that the Jasmine Revolution is done and dusted. Although we are unable to do much directly, the least we can do is to remain aware; Especially since it is the blood of civilians being shed, women and children. Hopefully, the blood being shed will enrich the ground for the next generation.

Free

Leash on a tree

Some how this photo reminds me of the scenes at pilgrimage sites where pilgrims cured by their faith leave behind crutches and walking aids as a sign of gratitude or testimony. Both scenes are linked by a common theme of freedom. But what does it mean to be truly free? Some times it feels as of being free means not having to rely on any aid or being restraint. From this reasoning, it seems to be the case that freedom is derived from an absence of certain external factors rather than something intrinsic or innate.

Shore

Pity us
By the sea
On the sands
So briefly
~Samuel Menashe

Dusk

At Peace; At Peirce.

I find myself waking up early even on the weekends. In a way that is a good thing because I seem to get a lot done. But in spite of this budding sense of accomplishment, I still can't help asking why the restlessness. I like to think that it is borne out of the habit of working life, but I have my doubts. It has been a long time since I had a good sleep. On the topic of early starts, on my way to work one day last week, at what most would deem an ungodly hour, the sudden emptiness of work hit me like a tsunami. I enjoy my line of work and the challenges it throws at me but after all that is said and done I am left wanting, surely there must be more to all this, surely?

Arles

Above the roof the sky is fair

Above the roof the sky is fair;
Blue, calm, serene.
A tree branch sways... The sky is fair;
Tranquil the scene.

A bell, in that sky, fills the air
With sweet content.
A bird, in that tree, fills the air
With sad lament.

My god, my god, out there... That's where
Real life is found.
A simple town... And everywhere,
Its gentle sound.

"What have you done, you, weeping there
Your endless tears?
Tell me, what have you done, you there,
With youth's best years?"

~Verlaine

Cracked Coffee Cups

Cracked Coffee Cups

"Hey... I found this really cool coffee place."
"Oh really? Where?"
"Its a bit far but it has really good coffee and cool cups and saucers too!"
"That sounds nice! We should check it out one day!"

Hope has deceived more men than cunning; "one day", the prelude to a lover's promise, that is bound to be broken some day.