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Fly, fly higher farther… French poem professionally translated to English.


Envol, plus haut plus loin... ©copyright2015owpp

Envol, plus haut plus loin…
©copyright2015owpp

This poem was written after I had read Boileau’s “Oeuvres I Satires, le lutrin”. He was born in 1636 & today, belongs to the French classics. The only word that comes to my mind concerning his style is, magnificent. Discovering it at this time in my life gives me the advantage of grasping & appreciating the genius & depth of this master of literature.
This poem is mostly philosophising about the adventure & thrill of journeys in the mode of transportation we use today (which is mostly airplanes) & its origins.
I wrote this poem in French & as its level is higher than usual I preferred to get the help of a professional translator. I found it extremely difficult to keep its original flavour & twist which can sometimes get lost in search of a word or sentence in another language.
The work was done superbly. For those who are bilingual, you will be able to judge for yourself. The contact information is choshana.b@gmail.com & mobile 00 44 797 056 83 37.
I will first write it in the English version as most of my followers are English speaking. Thank you for the patience of my French speaking followers 🙂

Journeys
=====

Fly, fly higher farther,
On the wings of eclosion,
Belonging in the days of yore,
To the works of the creator,
Always seeking renewal.

Through the freshness of encounters,
Exchanges with obscured or enlightened minds,
Undebased by proximity.
To race the sunny boulevards,
Parenthesis in a frozen winter,
Stroke the bark of a palm tree,
Hear reverberate the spontaneous exclamation
Of a free nation.

Inestimable exchange of ideas, opinions or perspective,
On the magical or tragical universe,
Surrounding an awakened or slumbered eye,
By night glittering with silver sequins,
Softened by benevolent reflection of the guardian,
Of a world recuperating from the commotion & frantic palpitations,
That accompany the rising of a blinding sun.

And if sometimes, changes the bed of the river,
Winding in a turbulent course, compelling
Humble servants of this earth to confront mortality,
Unavoidable path for all terrestrial.
This is at least solaced with the comfort of being home,
Well supported among one’s own.

Fly, fly low, close to the swarm,
Life crackling on the hearth,
Warming your brood from the streets
Blanketed in snow.
Cheating history, availing of these rare

Singular moments of… bliss.

Voyages
=====

Envol, envol, plus haut plus loin,
Sur les ailes de l’éclosion,
Jadis appartenant aux oeuvres du créateur,
Cherchant toujours le renouveau.

A travers la fraicheur des rencontres,
L’échange des esprits obscurcis ou éclairés,
Dont la distance n’avilit point.
Pour courir les boulevards ensoleillés,
Parenthèse d’un hiver glacé,
Caresser l’écorse d’un palmier,
Entendre résonner l’exclamation
D’un peuple en liberté.

Echanges inestimables d’opinions, d’idées ou de perspectives,
Sur l’univers magique ou tragique, qui
Entoure un oeil éveillé ou ensommeillé,
Par une nuit rutilante de paillettes argentées,
Adoucit par le reflet bienveillant, du gardien
D’un monde récupérant du tohu-bohu et palpitations frénétiques,
Qui accompagnent le lever d’un soleil aveuglant.

Et mème si parfois change le lit du fleuve,
Empruntant un parcours chahuté, obligeant
Les humbles serviteurs de cette terre à confronter
La mortalité, Chemin inevitable pour tout terrestre,
C’est au moins avec le réconfort d’être chez soi
Bien épauler parmis les siens.

Envol, envol tout bas, tout près de l’essaim,
Ta vie crépitant sur l’âtre, réchauffant
Ta nichée des rues enneigées.
Trichant l’histoire, profitant de

ces moments d’aubaine calculés.

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Shell-passion is an aftermath of the grain,wind,foam…


Simple pleasures... ©copyright2014owpp

Simple pleasures…
©copyright2014owpp

Shells are a passion that comes as an aftermath
Of the grain, wind, foam, the light & sounds…
The Movement.
I managed to find a concave of forgiveness & peace
To perceive art in refuse but when discovering some
Pay a heavy fine… sadness & compassion floods in
Yet is accompanied by the understanding that nature
Prevails, all it needs is a thumbs up & a bit of trust
In its recovery.

P.S I have taken these photos in about three different times so the fish was in one batch & the bird in another.
I’m mentioning what might seem a detail but is not… the situation was not so bad as to have found it all at once
and the pleasure in the other pictures far exceeded hence my belief in nature prevailing.
Nature is beautiful, with it we can live… in its true sense of the word. I must say that I got a few laughs out of passerby’s when they saw me crawling on four with waves catching me by surprise for the shell photos 🙂

Beautiful shell! ©copyright2014owpp

Beautiful shell!
©copyright2014owpp

Nature's tapestry ©copyright2014owpp

Nature’s tapestry
©copyright2014owpp

And canvas.. ©copyright2014owpp

And canvas..
©copyright2014owpp

Magic ©copyright2014owpp

Magic
©copyright2014owpp

Wind... ©copyright2014owpp

Wind…
©copyright2014owpp

And delicacy! ©copyright2014owpp

And delicacy!
©copyright2014owpp

Art in refuse ©copyright2014owpp

Art in refuse
©copyright2014owpp

Delirious celebrations... ©copyright2014owpp

Delirious celebrations…
©copyright2014owpp

Even a bottle has a story... ©copyright2014owpp

Even a bottle has a story…
©copyright2014owpp

The heavy fine ©copyright2014owpp

The heavy fine
©copyright2014owpp

All it needs is our thumbs up ©copyright2014owpp

All it needs is our thumbs up
©copyright2014owpp

For its rebirth :) ©copyright2014owpp

For its rebirth 🙂
©copyright2014owpp

Teachers TV- The Montessori Method


Having had such a warm response concerning my post broaching the subject of main stream education versus home-schooling in https://oawritingspoemspaintings.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/no-school-for-my-kids-radical-unschooling-methods/ and being introduced to the Montessori Method by http://friendlyfairytales.com/ I thought you might enjoy this video which goes from its origins to today which is very informative for the ones who are still new to it as I.
Enjoy!

“Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.”

Published on Dec 5, 2012
© Crown Copyright. Provided by Arts College Limited.
Further resources available on http://ArtsUK.org
Licensed to Arts College Limited.
Licence information available at: http://artsuk.org/policies/
An examination of the Montessori method of teaching.
Category
Education
License
Standard YouTube License
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Through the seasons of life


crunching under the burden... ©copyright2013owpp

crunching under the burden…
©copyright2013owpp

Leaving early in the morn
Your heart heavy yet light
With hope…

You travel the void of
Subways and commuters,
Walk through dead leaves
Crunching under the burden
Imposed…

Greeted by a lambent
Welcome, a twinkle thick
With enthusiasm you whisper
a small prayer for the tiny
Warm hand

Fitting trustingly yours,
Unaware of the odyssey in
Its genesis unconcerned
About the accessories…
A prerequisite

For endurance as he walks
through the seasons of life
The arteries…

Of his universe

Children Full of Life (1 of 5) (the whole set 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5)


I found this very inspiring video in… http://kindnessblog.com/2013/09/24/children-full-of-life/
and was so impressed I decided to include the whole set of 5.
Trust me on this one, it’s sheer quality time! I believe that if we all had had such a teacher, our lives
would’ve been very different as adults. Teachers have a huge impact on kids later on as they turn into
adults and he is one of the rare ones to have managed to do just that for the better reasons 🙂

Supermum… An old classic and a good laugh :)


Lead.Learn.Live posted this tremendous video for mother’s day. We had such a good laugh at it
That I couldn’t resist to post it and bring out the humoristic side in the role
of all mothers!
Enjoy 🙂

Susan Cain: The power of introverts: TED TALKS: documentary,lecture,talk


This is a tribute to all the introverts… A reminder to appreciate the hidden genius that comes forth if you accept and love who you are 🙂
I accidentally got on this unique TED show (which I find quite fascinating thanks mostly to the bloggers I follow, who post quite regularly the popular ones.)
I hope you enjoy the depth and philosophical analysis of her speech.
Let me know the impressions it left on you 🙂

Published on Mar 11, 2012
http://www.healthandsuperfoods.com/
Susan Cain: The power of introverts: TED TALKS: documentary,lecture,talk

In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

Our world prizes extroverts — but Susan Cain makes a case for the quiet and contemplative.

http://www.ted.com
TED shares the best ideas from the TED Conference with the world for free, licensed under Creative Commons.
Category
Education
License
Standard YouTube License

Families… April 2010


©copyright2013owpp

©copyright2013owpp

Families…
———

Families are intricate unities that assemble fragments of love, which they could easily discard if ego steps in.
Usually in a situation fabricated by their own imagination.
Families weave their own history, gluing it together with the substance called love hoping it will withstand the hazards of time.
Some families withhold the pressures of life by staying even closer. Practicing compassion, tolerance and love as a shining example for the world to witness.
Interacting with noble qualities as, finesse, integrity, virtue, righteousness, purity and above all a desire for true cohabitation.
They let their ego aside, seek and invite truth in, practicing patience and understanding in situations, others would have long buckled under.

Bursting as an olive seed, under the weight of a millstone. Grinding to its last drop.
How many of these “torches” illuminate our planet?
I wonder. Are they one percent? If they are, they should be standing high and proud. As the lighter of an Olympic flame.
Given a medal.
Instead, they are kept in the quiet. They tiptoe in the labyrinths of life and succeed to find a way out of this maze and convert it to beautiful alleys.
Some of them, growing an orchard on their way, with the promises of sweetness as a perquisite for having played a role in the grandeur of a king’s quarters.
Their children’s devotion, are their pride and badges. They take no heed in titles or honors.
They cherish the warmth of past memories and amuse themselves at keeping them alive by recalling them to their grandchildren, on long winter nights, a twinkle in their eyes, a spark in their heart and a smile on their lips.
Then, go on, feeding, on their children’s silent recognition, translated by small tokens. A gesture, a look, a hug and most of all, loving respect.
Are we aware of the importance of our each and every move?
As situations reveal themselves before our eyes, we are given a mind and heart to consult. The gift of introspection.
Do we use them wisely?
We have the freedom and dignity of choice. We could make an everlasting impression for generations to come. Leave our “trade mark“.
Is that not worth its weight in gold? Should it not give us a rush to strive toward that goal?
We could give up our self-made miseries and feed the younger generation with tender care.

Behave with consistency and rationality in order to provide them with the much needed security and balance in their lives so, as to prepare them on THEIR journey and pack their suitcases for the long road, with, stability, strength and joy. All vital tools in their jobs to shape a few generations to come.

And so it goes…

Building a non-ending chain of character, beauty and light.
In the hope, it will brighten the world and eradicate any dark shades left by the person…

Who thought he had no choice.

Our hamster’s burial 2011


White hamster

Our hamster’s burial
———————-

It was a crispy, sunny, Sunday afternoon in nineteen ninety three.

Our whole family was united under the same roof of our old car in solemn solidarity, clinging unto a battered shoe box where our hamster lay peacefully among the outdated newspapers we had provided as temporary
comfort.

Not that it made much difference to our poor deceased creature, who surely had already joined his other soul mates in hamster paradise.

But it was more for our solace than his.

We drove endlessly in search of an isolated spot, that would allow us to dig a hole for our albino pet that had taken a special place in our heart.

Living in a busy town did not make things easier. We roamed around aimlessly, trying to detect that precious empty spot.
There! Shouted our oldest, followed by an echo coming from the rest of us, where? Where?!

The answer came swiftly, On your right, can’t you see?

We darted in a single movement, to the right, our eyes lighting up at the prospect of a discovery, and, yes! It was there!…

Was this going to be the final resting place for our pet? We wondered.

We stopped, got out of the car, our children trooping out, straight and sedate as little brave soldiers.

We studied the grounds as experts would, weighing the pros and cons and finally decided against.

We were staring at a manicured lawn. A public one and therefore, liable to a fine. Besides, even without a fine, we would have never had the heart to spoil such a well tended landscape.

So, off we went, in search of wilder pastures.

After a back and forth animated verbal exchange, we deliberated our verdict. We were going out of the city to find a peaceful spot in untouched nature.
Everyone agreed it was the best solution and peace settled among our tribe.

The further we went, the more subdued we all were. We had to face the inevitable.
Tranquility descended upon the small tight space of our vehicle.

———————————–

The day had begun to fall. The sun was hiding behind dark heavy clouds and a blanket of mist hovered on top of the fields in a protective embrace.

We stood perfectly still, as if mesmerized.
This was, thee acme.

Digging a hole

In a cowardly gesture, I inquired if anyone fancied digging a whole. It must have sounded far too brutal to their young and innocent ears because, my question collided with implacable deafening silence.
So we all went, together into action ( Mainly me! ) implicating ourselves into the mission we had endeavored to do.

It was quickly over and we drove back feeling gratified for having accomplished what we had set our mind and heart to.

How is it possible, I thought, to have gotten so fond of this little creature, when I used to be terrified of any four legged living form?
I ended up being the one helping him in his last gasps of breath…
A person, I mused, is full of surprises.

After a moment, the car slowly filled with the familiar ” music ” of sibling rivalry and I smiled at the pleasant continuation of life’s trivialities.

All was in its right place.

How do we get rid of… The cobwebs of the mind ? 2010


floating-on-cloud

The cobwebs of our mind
———————–

When we wake up in the morning, drunk from food, puffed and wheezing, that in itself should be a motivator, a warning…

Oblivious to the dangers, we put our bodies through, we live in a make-belief-world. We lie in bed every night, waiting to be taken to the land of weightlessness.

Years of drilled information leaves our mind with a pile of junk, only a thorough cleansing can get rid of.
Wash, scrub, scour, open up the windows and give an opportunity to a clean new slate!

What if we have too much data, too much ” education ” stopping us from keeping it the way it is… simple?
What if we could literally, build a mountain, by, tossing all the rules and knowledge we’ve accumulated throughout the
years, in a heap? Throwing in, the smallest detail… The thousand different diets, the dos-and-don’ts, stocked up analysis,
take the bewilderment and see the mass grow…

Hurling all the well meant advice, the quotes… chuck out the fuzziness, the distorted habits, the negative experiences
( learnt on the wrong ” benches ” of life ) the just-in-case all sized clothes, the preoccupations, and without hesitation go on adding up every single remnants…

Frustration, will ( or lack of it ) respect ( taken or given in the right or wrong places ) pride, exhilaration, jealousies,
( towards one’s success )

Do that, down to the last precision…

Stand a few steps back and look at the accretion. Admire the pyramid. See it in shape, height, width… Take ” physical ” distance
and see your mind detach from the hoard. Feel identification toward it, fade away.

Give this visualization exercise the opportunity to give you mental space and remoteness from the years of accumulation.
Observe how clean it feels… Now think… What are we left with? What are we confronted with?
once we discard the past, only then, do we realize that we can get down to the most important ” elements ” of this game we take too
seriously and call life.

It is US and the FOOD!

We are faced with the simplest of all decisions. Are we going to put it in our mouth or not? It’s as plain as it gets and can’t get
plainer. After throwing away all the complications our mind creates, we come to recognize it’s as clear as spring water.

The psyche is a dangerous neighbourhood we’ve designed based on a past that is dead and a unborn future.

If we could see this in all its transparency, we would easily burn away the cobwebs of our mind.