Happy Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year)
I had a splendid time in the "big city," Maseru. I went to the celebration, prayers and feast which were wonderful. Also got to spend more time with the artistic Baha'is that I just formally met my 1st week in Lesotho. I heard Neo Tau sing and play guitar which was beautiful and only wish Adam could have been there to give us the full effect (adamcrossleymusic.com). I have been talking to him through email though and he is so supportive in what I am doing. If you don't know the story of Adam I was his opening act at Tiny Planet (tinyplanetstudio.com) a month b4 my trip to Africa. We didn't know each other till sound check and found out mid concert that he spent a yr in Lesotho so then we had lots to talk about! One of my many confirmations about the trip here!
I hung with 'Me Lihlaleng's son Tsepo and told him that she is my best friend lol and met 2 producers and Mawetu again. We got to share a lot of poetry and it was such a great lift in spirits to get a small session with a dedicated poet. (http://www.thepoetryproject.co.za/) I don't have many poet friends as far as I know. I would like to have a little crew to share with so here's the first step toward that lol. He was equally happy with my pieces and offered to let me record some work next time (album in stores 2012? lol) so that is definitely on the "to-do" list! Also hung with Tau (Thato's little brother) and decided to go to a youth conference with him late April in Jo-berg South Africa, another thing to look forward to!!
I met up with Molontoa (soldier) and went to dinner. He is such a sweetheart. Again it amazes me that I only knew him 2 weeks before he moved away because you get to know people so much quicker in the mountains lol. Oh I also got offered a place to stay if I secure a job in Maseru. Wanda (a Baha'i) has an office that I could use at night and a really cute dog that could be my new best friend :)
Youth Centre hasn't really been helping with this dance thing and since I have only a month left in Mokhotlong before I go to Butha Buthe, then Berea, then Mohale's Hoek, I have taken matters into my own hands and going to have some dance and chorus meetings at my office after school and have a concert at the farm. So I'll keep you updated on that situation and please wish me luck! I was sad to even tell the kids here that I will be moving mid April..whew I get attached easily. I'm trying to have open arms to everything though I know I will miss it here, it feels like home. Speaking of home I have been really missing the two nieces and nephew lately and hope they are doing well. Thanks to Aaron, Jeph, Carol, and my students at PNI who sent me letters/packages that I just recieved!!
Ok to close, the session with Mawetu kicked me in the butt to finish and work on some new pieces. My favorite is my first draft of "Cherokee Mind"
Cherokee Mind by Andrea Hope
I'm a tree hugger
with a Cherokee Mind
so odd in this facade they think I'm lost in time
they call this life upgraded of the highest kind
but I don't get it
we'd find gold beneath our soles but only if we tread it
deeply
enough to know that riches only exist in Mother Earth's kisses
and wonder who decides a shiny rock is worth a million
if they could sell the sunset, they'd pay the clouds to start drilling
..and make a killing
so big mama
give props as you plant crops
and collect drops
of water from the river
they'll be tense when they sense
that we have redefined civil
call them silly, they'll be busy
tryna to price control living
got you feeling
like the green paper is worth more than the 50 yr old tree that made it
it's jaded
reclaim it
and plant a seed in rich foundation
knowing everything we need He gave us free in creation
I am happy you had a good time and heard good music at the Naw-Ruz party. I am proud that you have been able to perform some of your works. I would think about getting back into writing more poetry if you would like. I am happy you will be able to record some of your poems! I would be sad if you didn't come back to the U.S., but feel you should follow your path. I will say a prayer for your music event! I hope you are able to keep in contact with the kids some way. You're welcome about the package! I appreciate the poem, it says good things about your gratitude and thoughtfulness about God's providence. I did a similar though less artistic project once tracing all of the work that is necessary from the earth to the products we have around us, using the particular example of a book. It was a beautiful mental picture. Thinking about it more right now, it's just as telling about the capacities that people have to bring forth those creations, such as the thoughts that go into writing a book.
ReplyDeleteAlso: May God go with you!
ReplyDeleteI reread your poem because I didn't understand it the first time and think I get it now. I think you have a good point and the last sentence brings an idea of hope.
ReplyDeleteAndrea-- I missed my stop because I kept re-reading this poem...jeez!!! lol...I digs it..
ReplyDelete