let's take a moment..

...to honor the poetry of Dr. Leo Rebello. i have relisted two below for your reading pleasure.

UNITY POEM

by Dr. Leo Rebello
When we ran away from the towering inferno of terrorism, we became one human race!

When the planes hit and the imposing buildings fell, we ran in one direction - towards safety! When we prayed together and lit candles we longed for hope and became one faith!

When millions observed silence, and thousands protested against war, we spoke one language! When we volunteered and collected blood, all religions mingled in our arteries and veins!

When guns were consigned to fire and hands were joined in unity, poverty ended, tears vanished!

When leaders united with the commoners and sang together 'World is One', peace returned!

Copyright ©2001

Dr. Leo Rebello

OH MOTHER, DO NOT DESPAIR

by Dr. Leo Rebello
Oh Mother, do not despair. Everything will be just and fair. Your and my sons will not be soldiers or Dr. Kill Dare!
Oh Mother, do not despair. Our soldiers will take care that the Guns are pointed at those who create the nightmare.
Oh Mother, do not despair. Everything will be just and fair. Soon there will be a farewell to Bush Jr and his tomaware.
Oh Mother, do not despair. God has sent a message Columbia's ruins indicate, that there won't be a Star Warfare.
Oh Mother, do not despair. A new leadership is emerging A World Govt. is shaping For you and for me to take care.

Copyright ©2003

Dr. Leo Rebello

you can read more on his website at http://www.healthwisdom.org

just when you thought you could leave the past behind...

upon checking my email this morning i discovered a letter from a woman named jena. which was odd, as i do not know anyone who goes by jena, specifically with one n. i opened the letter to find it is from jena osman, my (overwhelmingly mediocre) L&T professor (she was a visiting prof from Temple). at the end of august, she had us write letters to ourselves that we sealed and gave to her with the intention of her contacting us after we graduated and returning them. well, lo and behold, she actually made good on her promise and the letter is en route! it's mildly worrying how vague my memory of this whole process is - i don't think i've thought of it once since then - in comparison to how much thought and enthusiasm i must have put into writing it. in addition to how horrifying it will be to revisit the most profound thoughts of eighteen year old arielle, it's also made me wonder how many other events have i completely forgotten about in my life? maybe this will be motivation enough to actually update my journal on a regular basis...